Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a tentative contract agreement between the State of New York and two units represented by the Police Benevolent Association of the New York State Troopers, Inc. serving members of the New York State Police. The Troopers Unit includes more than 3,100 Troopers in the Division of State Police who are responsible for road patrol and law enforcement in rural areas, and for operations at the various State Police stations. The Commissioned Officer/Non-Commissioned Officer Unit includes more than 830 officers in the ranks of majors, captains, lieutenants and various levels of sergeants who are responsible for supervising troopers and investigators, also in the Division of State Police. Both agreements are for three-year terms running from April 1, 2023 until March 31, 2026, and are subject to ratification by union membership.
“Public safety is my number one priority, and our dedicated community of law enforcement professionals are the backbone of our efforts to protect New Yorkers everywhere,” Governor Hochul said. “Public servants deserve the dignity that comes with a fair contract worthy of the sacrifices they make every day. I’m grateful for their courage and for their commitment to making a difference in our state.”
New York State Troopers PBA President Charles W. Murphy said, “Hardworking PBA members perform one of the toughest jobs in New York state with integrity and professionalism every single day. In recognition of our members’ tireless work and sacrifices, we are pleased that this tentative agreement includes key compensation and benefits provisions. That includes the state’s first-ever paid parental leave plan for Troopers, which not only is a recognition of the sacrifices our members’ families make so they can protect and serve, but also will help recruit and retain the best of the best New York has to offer. We thank Gov. Hochul and her team for their work to achieve a fair tentative agreement that our members will now consider. As they do, we will continue our work promoting safety and justice for all New Yorkers.”
Both contract agreements include raises in each year of the agreement consistent with other recently negotiated agreements. In addition, the agreements include other increases in compensation such as a lump sum bonus and up to 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave. The agreements also include changes in the health insurance program that will encourage in-network employee utilization and help control health insurance costs.
October 3, 2024 Albany, New York
Here are three critical questions that could be posed by critics from the Democratic Party and three from Republicans regarding Governor Kathy Hochul’s announcement of tentative labor agreements with the Police Benevolent Association of the New York State Troopers:
Democratic Party Critics:
- How does the Governor plan to ensure that the financial commitments made in these contracts do not divert necessary funding away from essential social services and community programs that address the root causes of crime?
- What specific measures will be implemented to ensure that the new benefits, such as paid parental leave, do not come at the expense of oversight and accountability within the police force, especially in light of recent calls for police reform?
- Given the ongoing concerns about police-community relations, what steps will the Governor take to ensure that these contracts include provisions for training on de-escalation and community engagement, rather than simply increasing compensation?
Republican Critics:
- With the state’s fiscal challenges, how does the Governor justify the raises and benefits being provided to state troopers, and what impact will this have on taxpayers already struggling with high taxes?
- What guarantees can the Governor provide that these new labor agreements will lead to improved public safety outcomes, rather than simply rewarding law enforcement without corresponding accountability measures?
- Is the Governor willing to commit to transparency in how these agreements were negotiated, particularly regarding the involvement of union leadership and any potential political considerations that may have influenced the contract terms?
These questions reflect concerns about fiscal responsibility, accountability, and the balance between compensating law enforcement and addressing broader community needs.
Sources: Midtown Tribune, New York State Gov,
Big New York news BigNY.com