New Pro-Labor Law to Bolster
Safety, Job Creation for Unions
ALBANY—Legislation signed into law on Sept. 6 is expected to strengthen and expand labor protections statewide, according to New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul. The package of bills will help create good paying union jobs and strengthen protections for workers statewide.
In the absence of a functional National Labor Relations Board under the Trump Administration, the package of bills also includes legislation that seeks to preserve worker rights here in New York. The governor highlighted the bill signings ahead of New York City’s famous Labor Day Parade.
Gov. Hochul criticized the Trump Administration for failing “to prioritize a strong National Labor Relations Board” and for “dismantling unions left and right.” She added, “Here in New York we are taking strong action to protect worker rights and sending a clear message that we will always have the backs of New York’s workers.”
The package of bills includes:
• Legislation S.8034A/A8590A which authorizes the New York State Public Employment Relations Board to assert jurisdiction over disputes between employers and recognized employee organizations if the National Labor Relations Board is unable to successfully assert jurisdiction.
• Legislation S.5254/A.6612 which protects public unions from a wage reduction due to their involvement in the investigation of a violation of a workplace violence protection program.
• Legislation S.12/A.779 which amends the Civil Service Law to strengthen protections for public unions during times of suspensions and workforce layoffs.
• Legislation S.2457B/A3999B which establishes the Mechanical Insulation Energy Savings Program to provide grants for qualified mechanical insulation expenditures to school districts.
• Legislation A.2730A which requires contractors and subcontractors performing construction work for covered renewable energy systems to have apprenticeship agreements. This legislation also requires thermal energy networks to require contractors and subcontractors to have pre-apprenticeship direct entry providers registered with the New York State Department of Labor.
New York State Building Trades President Gary LaBarbera said, “Both the Renewable Energy Apprenticeship and Mechanical Insulation Incentives legislation have been priorities for our members this year as they will produce more job opportunities throughout the industry, while providing a positive impact to New York’s economy that will help the state in lowering its carbon footprint.”
Published: September 10, 2025.