An agreement has been reached to award nearly $3 million in back pay to more than 2,100 New York State employees who worked overtime during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Starting this week, more than 1,700 Public Employees Federation members and more than 400 members of CSEA and other unions, as well as unrepresented employees, will receive payments of $1,375 for work completed beyond traditional work hours at the height of the pandemic. Employees on Administration Payroll will receive payments on December 20. Employees on Institution Payroll will receive payments on December 28.
“This agreement honors the tremendous contributions of New York State workers who went above and beyond to protect, inform, and serve their fellow New Yorkers at the height of the pandemic,” Governor Hochul said. “As we enter the holiday season, we’re putting hard-earned overtime pay back in the hands of the dedicated civil servants who keep our state running and I thank PEF and CSEA for their partnership on this agreement to give state employees the compensation they deserve.”
PEF President Wayne Spence said, “PEF is committed to securing overtime payment for all our members who stepped up to serve New Yorkers during the pandemic. This was money they earned with their sacrifice, and we thank Governor Hochul for making sure public employees are fairly compensated. These hours were worked at great personal risk and helped keep New York operating during an unprecedented state of emergency.”
CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan said, “CSEA is pleased to say we were yet again able to work with Governor Hochul in an amicable way to resolve these pay issues on behalf of our members. We look forward to our continued collaboration with the Governor and thank her again for her support and willingness to work with us on this and many other issues we face.”
