Election results are in!
1. Section 80 Law Goes into Effect
Last year, CSEA was successful in getting a bill passed to provide standardized protections to all Competitive, Non-Competitive, and Labor Class employees during layoffs. Previously, there was no process in place for layoffs of Labor Class employees or Non-Competitive Class employees working in local government, which allowed employers to pick and choose which employees were laid off. The law will go into effect on Monday, February 19. For more information, check out our flyer here.
2. Governor’s 30-day Amendments
On Thursday, Governor Hochul provided amendments to her executive budget proposal. CSEA is reviewing these changes to determine their impact, if any, on CSEA members. The legislature will now be reviewing the budget and crafting their one-house budget proposals, which will be released around the second week of March.
3. Suozzi Wins in CD-3
CSEA-endorsed candidate Tom Suozzi was successful in his bid for the 3rd Congressional District, defeating challenger Mazi Pilip in a race that garnered national attention. This victory wouldn’t have been possible without the dedicated work of CSEA members, who contacted thousands of labor households to encourage them to vote. Suozzi expressed his thanks to CSEA and other labor unions in his victory speech.
4. Dais Wins in AD-77
Landon Dais defeated challenger Norman McGill in the special election for the 77th Assembly District, which encompasses parts of the Bronx. Dais will replace former Assemblymember Latoya Joyner, who resigned in early January after accepting a job in the private sector. CSEA did not endorse in this race.
5. Proposed Congressional Maps
On Thursday, the Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC) approved a new set of congressional maps, which, if approved by the State Legislature, will be used for this year’s congressional elections. These maps are largely unchanged from the current congressional districts with only relatively minor adjustments to three upstate districts. The new maps give a slight enrollment boost to Democrats in NY-22 (Central NY) and NY-18 (Hudson Valley), while providing a similar enrollment boost to Republicans in NY-19 (Central NY and Hudson Valley). The State Legislature will have the final say on whether these maps will be adopted. If they vote down the IRC’s maps, the legislature will then have the opportunity to draft their own.
6. Pension Posts Returns
On Tuesday, State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced that the New York State Common Retirement Fund investments returned an estimated 6.18% in the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2024, above the expected return of 5.9%. The estimated value of the fund was $259.9 billion at the end of the quarter.
7. Next Week
The State Legislature is on break next week, so there are no session days scheduled. However, members of both houses will be working behind closed doors to develop their respective one-house budget proposals.
8. REMINDER: PEOPLE Rewards
All PEOPLE contributors should have received an email from AFSCME regarding PEOPLE Rewards. AFSCME is transitioning away from rewards points and they are set to expire March 1, 2024. To redeem your points prior to the expiration, AFSCME has included detailed instructions on how to login to access the PEOPLE Rewards online store. Click here for instructions.
9. CSEA Legislative Toolkit
We’re encouraging members to get the word out about our union’s 2023 legislative successes. Click the icons below for informational documents that you can print, share, and post on social media to spread the news!
Ambulance Direct Payments:
Bumping, Retreating and Rehiring Rights:
Civil Service Exam Announcements:
School Workplace Violence Prevention Programs:
Counting Provisional Time Toward Probation: