_:n38693e7418db483390b4f080773d2873xb0
<http://schema.org/articleBody>
"ALBANY - Executive Branch members of the Civil Service Employees Association have ratified a new five-year contract with the state that provides for annual 2 percent raises, among other benefits. An agreement between union leaders and Gov. Andrew Cuomo's administration was struck in June. The previous contract expired in March 2016. \"Our negotiating team worked tirelessly to secure a well-rounded agreement that provides hard-earned cost-of-living increases while keeping health insurance expenses reasonable for working families,\" CSEA President Danny Donohue said in a statement. Cuomo called the contract \"a fair deal for New York and for the more than 60,000 hardworking public servants that are the backbone of state government.\" Both sides did not talk about the deal after it was tentatively agreed to, but bill language necessary to implement the contract detailed that employees would receive 2 percent raises each year for five years and automatic increases in longevity pay and bonuses.  CSEA confirmed the raises will be retroactive and that the contract also includes improvements to the longevity payment structure, \"modest\" increases in health insurance co-payments, and double-time overtime pay for those working in the state offices of Mental Health and People with Development Disabilities \"to control the excessive mandated overtime rampant in that sector.\" The bill outlined a bonus for 15 years of continuous service, starting at $2,500 per year to $4,500 per year by April 1, 2019. Cuomo signed the implementing legislation late Tuesday, along with other employee contract-related bills. mhamilton@timesunion.com • 518-454-5449 • @matt_hamilton10"
<https://www.timesunion.com/7day-state/article/CSEA-members-ratify-new-contract-11745232.php>