On August 8, 2026, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the ratification of five-year labor agreements with each of the four bargaining units represented by the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA). In total, CSEA represents more than 55,000 New York State employees in a wide variety of roles. The agreements run from April 2, 2026 until April 1, 2031. Each agreement was overwhelmingly approved by CSEA members.
“Every day, dedicated CSEA members perform essential work to keep New York moving, and these agreements recognize those efforts while also serving as a fair deal for New York’s taxpayers,” Governor Hochul said. “Our valued public servants are the backbone of a strong Empire State, and I thank the members and leadership of CSEA for their dedication in continuing to help and serve their fellow New Yorkers.”
CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan said, “I thank Governor Hochul for working with CSEA to reach an agreement that reflects the value of our members and the vital services they provide. Every day, more than 55,000 CSEA members keep our roads safe, care for our most vulnerable neighbors, maintain our parks and campuses, protect our communities and deliver the public services New Yorkers depend on. This contract is an investment in them and in the future of our state.”
The ratified contracts each include the following raises across the five years of the agreement: 4.5 percent, 4 percent, 3.5 percent, 3 percent, and 3 percent. Boosts to location pay and several other unit-specific payments are also included in the contracts. Members also will gain 20 hours of paid pre-natal leave and an increase in the cap for sick leave accumulation. The agreements also include reasonable updates to health insurance that will reduce costs for members by eliminating certain co-pays and providing incentives to use in-network providers.
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