Labor & Employment (Public Employees)

This bill allows specific villages in Rockland County to use binding arbitration to resolve disputes with their employee unions when collective bargaining negotiations reach an impasse. Under the new rules, these villages can agree to submit unresolved contract issues to an impartial arbitrator, who has the authority to issue awards covering both past and future years without the usual restrictions. This change applies specifically to bargaining units in Rockland villages that have already had expired contracts for at least seven years. The legislation modifies the state Civil Service Law to formalize this process while leaving other public employers and employee groups under existing procedures.

This bill amends New York's civil service law to explicitly include individuals holding positions by appointment or employment in the state's organized militia (such as the National Guard) within the definition of "public employee." It directly affects militia members serving in these roles by classifying them as public employees under the law. The change modifies the legal definition but excludes these individuals from certain provisions related to collective bargaining (sections 210 and 211) while including them in the general definition for other purposes. The amendment takes effect immediately upon passage.