New York state employees union accepts wage-freezing contract agreement

New York's largest union of state employees, the Civil Service Employees Association, recently voted to approve a contract agreement between union leaders and state Governor Andrew Cuomo that would freeze their wages and increase the cost of health benefits in a bid to avoid layoffs.

The New York Times notes that Cuomo's first labor deal was rejected by law enforcement officials, but the prospect of eliminating nearly 10,000 jobs appears to have encouraged union members to accept time and attendance compensation rates they otherwise may not have.

"These are not ordinary times, and CSEA worked hard to reach an agreement that we believed would be in everyone's best interest," said Danny Donohue, the union's president, in a statement.

Governor Cuomo called the contract ratification "a win for the union and a win for the people of the state" that resulted in the successful aversion of layoffs and is likely to make the state financially stronger. The Times notes that the five-year contract is expected to result in $73 million worth of savings this fiscal year.