Paid family leave doesn't extend to state union members yet

ALBANY — Thousands of state employees will not be immediately eligible for paid family leave benefits as prescribed by a landmark law approved in 2016.

The state's new paid-leave program takes effect Jan. 1, but major public employee unions say their members will not be able to take advantage of the program that offers up to eight weeks of leave time at 50 percent of their average weekly salary - the same as employees in the private sector. But the law that established the program mandates the unions collectively bargain for paid family-leave benefits before they opt into the program.

Public employers may choose to opt in for benefits for unrepresented employees, according to the law.

Representatives from two of the state's largest public-sector unions, the Public Employees Federation and the Civil Service Employees Association, told the Times Union last week their contracts with the state do not include opt-in provisions.

Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/7day-state/article/Paid-family-leave-doesn-t-extend-to-New-York-11336784.php