(ALBANY, NEW YORK) – The Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) has reached a tentative five-year contract agreement with New York State that delivers improvements in wages, benefits and workplace protections and addresses affordability challenges facing State Workers.

CSEA President Mary Sullivan said: “We applaud Governor (Kathy) Hochul’s recognition of the hard work CSEA Members provide to the State every day through this fair contract. This agreement delivers meaningful wage increases and helps address affordability challenges Working People are facing.”

The proposed agreement, which covers more than 55,000 CSEA-represented State Employees and runs through April 1st, 2031, was negotiated following months of discussions between the Union and the State.

The contract must now be reviewed and ratified by the Membership before it can take effect.

Union Leaders said the tentative agreement reflects the essential work performed by CSEA Members in agencies and facilities across New York.

Among its highlights are: Annual salary increases throughout the life of the agreement; Enhanced location pay for Workers in higher-cost regions; Paid Prenatal Leave; Improvements to health insurance benefits; and continued investment in Employee Benefits.

The agreement also includes provisions aimed at strengthening workplace protections and modernizing language to address emerging issues such as Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The contract also includes: Health insurance enhancements designed to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for Members and their families; No increase in Employee premium contribution rates; Several changes to Empire Plan coverage that would lower costs for routine medical services and laboratory testing; Expansion of reduced premium contribution rates to additional salary grades; Provide 20 hours of Paid Prenatal Leave each year for eligible Employees and increase the Sick Leave Accumulation Cap.

Additional provisions address seniority protections, tele-commuting, Labor-Management cooperation and workplace safety concerns.

Members would also see improvements through the CSEA Employee Benefit Fund.

If ratified, increased State contributions to the Fund would support expanded dental coverage, including new Adult Orthodontic Benefits, higher dental allowances and additional covered services.

Changes to the Prescription Drug Co-Pay Reimbursement Benefit would also make it easier for Members to receive reimbursement for eligible expenses.

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