CSEA Reaches Agreement with New York State on Working Conditions During Prison Strikes

ALBANY, NY (03/01/2025) (readMedia)-- ALBANY- CSEA and the State of New York reached a temporary agreement due to the ongoing security staff strike at New York State prisons. This agreement aims to protect civilian staff while maintaining prison operations during the strike.

Key provisions of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) include:

• No Security Duties for Civilian Staff

• Personal Safety Measures

• Fair Scheduling

• Limited Civilian Tasks in Restricted Areas

• Programming Suspension

• Expedited Assignment Dispute Process-If an employee believes an assignment is hazardous or violates the MOA, they can dispute it. Employees will have access to a CSEA representative and can refuse hazardous work under PESH. An expedited arbitration process will resolve disputes. The arbitrator will issue immediate verbal rulings, followed by written decisions and good faith efforts will be made to resolve disputes informally before arbitration.

"We applaud Governor Hochul for taking this action that protects CSEA members who have showed up to their jobs every day during the crisis," said CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan. "CSEA's top priority is safety. CSEA members play a critical role in safeguarding inmates' health and wellness, and these provisions ensure their safety while doing their jobs under these extraordinary circumstances."