State officials reached an agreement Monday to award nearly $3 million in backpay 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 (PEF) members and more than 400 members of Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) and other unions, as well as unrepresented employees, will receive payments for work completed beyond traditional work hours at the height of the pandemic. Payments will be distributed during the next pay cycle on either Dec. 20 or Dec. 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,” Gov. Kathy 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.”
Under the agreement, 1,727 PEF members and 428 members of CSEA and other unions, as well as unrepresented employees, will receive payments averaging around $1,375. Employees on Administration Payroll will receive payments on December 20. Employees on Institution Payroll will receive payments on December 28.
“These hours were worked at great personal risk and helped keep New York operating during an unprecedented state of emergency,” said PEF President Wayne Spence.