Court Notices 75 / Rules of the Chief Administrator

AMENDMENT OF RULE 

Rules of the Chief Administrator 

Pursuant to the authority vested in me, and with the advice and consent of the Administrative Board of the Courts, I hereby amend paragraph 2 of subdivision (b) of section 137.1 and subdivision (B) of section 8 of Appendix A to Part 137 of the Rules of the Chief Administrator, effective November 1, 2026, to read as follows: 

Section 137.1. 

Application 

(b) This Part shall not apply to any of the following: 

(2) amounts in dispute involving a sum less than $1,000 or more than [$50,000] $100,000, except that an arbitral body may hear disputes involving other amounts if the parties have consented; 

APPENDIX A. STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES 

Section 8. Selection and Assignment of Neutrals 

 B. Unless otherwise approved by the Board: 

1. Disputes involving a sum of less than [$10,000] $20,000 shall be submitted to one attorney arbitrator; 

2. Disputes involving a sum of [$10,000] $20,000 or more shall be submitted to a panel of three arbitrators, which shall include at least one nonlawyer member of the public.

Posted In the New York State Register, August 12, 2026 

DEPARTMENT OF STATE 

Vol. XLVIII Division of Administrative Rules Issue 32

 

GOVERNOR HOCHUL ANNOUNCES RATIFICATION OF FIVE-YEAR LABOR AGREEMENT WITH PUBLIC EMPLOYEES FEDERATION

 

Contract Approved With Overwhelming PEF Member Support

 

Agreement With PEF Covers 60,000 New York State Employees

 

Agreement Includes Yearly Salary Increases, Increases in Location Pay and Changes in Health Benefits

 

 

On August 18, 2026, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced the ratification of a five-year labor agreement with the Public Employees Federation (PEF) which includes approximately 60,000 New York State employees in a wide variety of professional, scientific and technical titles. The agreement, which runs until April 1, 2031, won the approval of 88 percent of PEF members who cast ballots.

 

“Public employees provide vital services every day to New Yorkers everywhere, and this agreement recognizes their hard work, professionalism and contributions,” Governor Hochul said. “New York values its talented public servants, and this agreement underscores my administration’s support and dedication to the Empire State’s public workforce. I thank PEF’s leadership in helping realize this deal, and I applaud PEF’s members for their continued commitment to serving New Yorkers all across this state.”

 

Public Employees Federation President Wayne Spence said, “While contract negotiations can be challenging, we appreciate Governor Kathy Hochul’s leadership in forging an agreement that works for the 62,000 professional, scientific, and technical staff represented by the NYS Public Employees Federation as well as for the residents of New York. We look forward to continuing to work with the Governor to improve the safe, efficient and effective delivery of services for every New Yorker.”

 

The ratified contract includes raises in each of the five years of the agreement, as follows: 4.5 percent, 4 percent, 3.5 percent, 3 percent, and 3 percent. The contract also includes boosts to location pay and several other unit-specific payments. Members also will gain 20 hours of paid pre-natal leave and an increase in the cap for sick leave accumulation. The agreement also includes 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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Basics of the workers’ compensation system, including insurance types, coverage requirements, and employers’ obligations under the law

The New York State Workers' Compensation Board continues its monthly webinar series for employers and human resources (HR) representatives.

On Wednesday, September 16, 2026, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m., the Board’s Office of the Advocate for Business will present on the basics of the workers’ compensation system, including insurance types, coverage requirements, and employers’ obligations under the law.

The one-hour presentation will also cover:

• who needs coverage and who does not need coverage,
• how and when to report an injury or illness,
• considerations when hiring independent contractors, laborers, and domestic workers,
• lowering premiums, and
• penalties and where to go for assistance with them

…all topics business owners and other employers, as well as their HR staff, should know about!

The session is free and there will be time at the end for questions.

Click to Register here

More information and contacts

Visit the Advocate for Business section of the Board’s website for additional resources.

You can also call the Office of the Advocate for Business at (518) 486-3331 or email advocatebusiness@wcb.ny.gov.

Having trouble?

If you are having trouble registering for or attending either of these webinars, check out these Webinar FAQs.