Bills affecting Union member / worker in New York — 2026 session

Extends application of the NYS labor relations act and unfair labor practice protections to state grant recipients who act in the capacity of employers; permits a contracting state agency to cancel payments to a grant recipient upon a second or subsequent labor violation; defines "state grant recipient".

Secures the continued validity of collective bargaining agreements during and after a change in operator or ownership of a property, facility, or company.

Establishes the savings bank, savings and loan association or credit union municipal deposit program; defines terms; provides that a credit union accepting deposits of public money is subject to certain limitations and shall pledge assets or furnish other security satisfactory in form and amount to the depositor, for the repayment of monies held in the name of such depositor, when required to be secured by applicable law, decree, or regulation.

Requires the principal of any high school to allow any local trade union, upon request, to enter the school for the purpose of trade union recruitment, including, but not limited to: making presentations; disseminating literature; and answering questions by students.

Requires the commissioner of health to develop a sustainability plan for the state university of New York downstate medical center; provides that such sustainability plan shall not limit or alter the rights of employees pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement.

Provides that either party to a workers compensation claim can request a hearing; requires a record of all hearings held.

Relates to use of public funds for prevailing wage requirements applicable to construction projects performed under private contract.

Prohibits the establishment of new charter schools, or the revision of any charter in, or within a five mile radius of, the Hempstead union free school district, the Uniondale union free school district, or the Roosevelt union free school district.

Relates to prevailing wage requirements applicable to public works and certain construction projects performed under private contract and paid for with public funds.

Requires the department of labor to study the long-term impact of artificial intelligence on the state workforce including but not limited to job performance, productivity, training, education requirements, privacy and security; prohibits any state entity from using artificial intelligence in any way that would result in the displacement of any currently employed worker or loss of position, including partial displacement such as a reduction in the hours of non-overtime work, wages or employment benefits, or results in the impairment of existing collective bargaining agreements.

Establishes the buy American, buy union grant program and the buy American, buy union grant fund for the purpose of providing grants to municipal subdivisions to reimburse such municipal subdivisions for the costs of procuring consumer or commercial vehicles which are union-made.

Requires that an organization applying for grant funding shall provide to arts agencies a certification that it will enter into a labor peace agreement with at least one bona fide labor organization either where such bona fide labor organization is actively representing employees providing services covered by the organization seeking such grant funding or upon notice by a bona fide labor organization that is attempting to represent employees who will provide services to the organization seeking such grant funding; relates to prevailing wage requirements for not-for-profit theaters and payment of their employees on productions funded by the New York state council on the arts or arts agencies of localities.

Requires battery energy storage system owners and operators to demonstrate compliance with workforce reliability standards as a condition of state financial assistance; extends prevailing wage requirements and whistleblower protections to operations and maintenance employees at covered battery energy storage systems; directs the public service commission to promulgate implementing regulations; and requires a periodic review of implementation.

Dedicates a portion of the state highway system including the bridge on state route five hundred thirty-one, crossing over route two hundred fifty-nine, otherwise known as, South Union Street, in the town of Ogden, county of Monroe, to Civil War Veteran John B. Nichols.

Exempts Wantagh union free school district from laws, rules, or regulations regarding the use of indigenous names, mascots, and logos.

Requires at least one electric level three fast charging station available to the public for every five thousand New York state residents on a county level by December 31, 2027; provides for the siting of such charging stations; requires construction and development of such stations to comply with article 8 of the labor law including payment of the prevailing wage.

Enacts the "omnibus prevailing wage enforcement act"; creates the office of the prevailing wage fraud inspector general for increased vigilance in the effort to achieve prevailing wage enforcement; allows public authorities to require that successful bidders for public works jobs participate in a state-sponsored apprenticeship program; makes related provisions.

Authorizes the boards of education in union free school districts and central school districts to establish wards for the purpose of school board elections in Orange County.

Enacts CJ's Law--oil and gas drilling workplace safety act; requires the enactment of rules and regulations for enhanced workplace safety and employee training for all oil and gas drilling operations in the state; provides that new permit holders should utilize union laborers or laborers with specific training; provides that employers shall report workplace accidents and the commissioner of the department of labor must publish a quarterly report on workplace accidents.

Mandates the trustees of common school districts and the board of education of every union free school district to establish a code of ethics to be applied to the prohibition of the use of school resources for personal gain.