Bill
A 11570
Implements a multi-year compensation plan for SUNY’s professional services unit, including base raises, lump sums, recalls, on-call pay, health access for part-timers, and funded l
A 11570 is a New York Assembly bill from the 2025-2026 session. It implements a 2026 wage-and-benefits agreement between the state and the employee organization representing the state university’s Professional Services unit. The bill provides for salary adjustments, location pay, lump-sum payments, and various other compensation and benefit provisions for incumbents in the professional service within the State University of New York (SUNY), along with related recall, hourly, and part-time considerations. It also authorizes appropriations to fund these provisions and establishes labor-management committees to oversee related topics.
1) Definitions (Section 1)
- Defines “professional services unit,” “the agreement,” and “the employee organization” for purposes of the act.
2) Salary adjustments and new pay structure (Section 2)
- Annual salary increases for incumbents (excluding subdivision 15) as follows:
- 2026: 4.5% increase, with dates tied to payroll periods (July 2 start for calendar/college year obligations; September 1 for academic year obligations). Some exceptions for specific SUNY campuses identified by the Department of Audit and Control; eligibility start date aligned to July 2, 2026 or August 13, 2026 for certain 21-pay period cases.
- 2027: 4.0% increase (pay period closest to July 1 or September 1, depending on obligation).
- 2028: 3.5% increase (pay period closest to July 1 or September 1).
- 2029: 3.0% increase (pay period closest to July 1 or September 1).
- 2030: 3.0% increase (pay period closest to July 1 or September 1).
- The increases apply to basic annual salaries as of the stated dates, with special rules for eligibility, and certain campuses/positions excluded as identified by the audit/control department.
- Provisions for pro-rated application to hourly, per diem, or part-time employees; eligibility occurs at the appropriate payroll period.
3) Lump-sum and other pay provisions (Section 3)
- Lifeguard and certain SUNY unit employees receive phased increases and recall-related compensation.
- Additional lump-sum payments and/or stepped increases for long-serving full-time and part-time staff in various years (including 2024, 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030, and 2031), with amounts specified (e.g., $1,000, increasing to $1,250, $1,500, $1,750 for some, and a separate schedule for part-time staff).
- Additional discretionary, per-year pools of up to 0.5% of total basic salaries in 2028-2031 to be distributed by SUNY trustees in their discretion.
- Several provisions specify that lump-sum payments may be included as part of basic salary for retirement purposes and will not be added to basic salary for all years (i.e., only the difference for subsequent increases).
4) Minimum salary and part-time faculty (Section 11 & 12)
- Establishes and escalates minimum basic annual salaries for the professional services unit through 2030, aligned with the negotiated increases.
- Part-time academic faculty minimum salaries per course credits and rising over time for university centers and comprehensive/technology colleges.
- Ensures part-time faculty receive increases where applicable and that minimums align with the agreement.
5) Post-Graduate Year (PGY) schedules (Section 13)
- SAT-based PGY salary schedules updated per the agreement for 2026-2030.
6) Recall and overtime (Section 4)
- Defines recall compensation for certain SUNY employees in hospital/clinic settings and for designated recall positions at each campus.
- Overtime provisions ensure a minimum of 4 hours of recall pay when recalled.
7) On-call compensation (Section 5)
- Allows extra compensation for on-call days for those required to be available for recall, paid per the agreement and included for retirement.
8) Health insurance for part-time employees (Section 6)
- Allows part-time employees who previously lacked health coverage to enroll in the state health insurance program, with the employee covering the full premium.
9) Higher education differential (Section 7)
- Provides higher education differential where the agreement requires it.
10) Labor-management committees (Section 8)
- Establishes several statewide joint labor-management committees (professional development, employment issues and continuity of employment fund, safety, diversity/inclusion, health benefits, redeployment, campus grants) for 2026-2031.
- Includes a Tripartite Redeployment Committee and campus-specific grant approvals.
11-14) Administrative and funding provisions (Sections 9, 10, 15-18)
- Appropriates funds for grievance/arbitration settlements, and confirms that increases may be implemented only after a fully executed agreement is in place.
- Allows the use of appropriations from various funds, including general fund and special funds, to finance the provisions.
- Provides for deferred payment of increases, with prospective retroactive calculations and retirement-credited compensation.
- Addresses the effect on special annuity programs and contingent funding.
15) Special and miscellaneous provisions (Sections 19, 20)
- Sets up special pay bills structures, with specific statewide allocations and effective dates.
Note: This summary focuses on the substantive provisions and potential effects based on the bill text as introduced. For implementation specifics, affected employees should consult the final negotiated agreement and related SUNY policies.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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