Labor & Employment (Collective Bargaining)

Clarifies the meaning of actively seeking work for purposes of unemployment benefits when the claimant is a member of a labor organization; defines "union hiring hall".

This bill restricts health care employers from requiring nurses or health care workers (excluding doctors, residents, and security staff) to work more than their regularly scheduled hours, except in specific emergencies or during ongoing surgical procedures. It defines "regularly scheduled work hours" to include pre-scheduled on-call time and shift report communication, and prohibits using on-call time as a substitute for mandatory overtime. Exceptions include health care disasters, official emergency declarations, unanticipated staffing emergencies, or procedures requiring continuous presence for patient safety. The law aims to protect patient care quality by limiting excessive work hours, without affecting existing rights under other laws or collective bargaining agreements.

S 171 creates a state income tax credit equal to the amount of qualified union dues paid by taxpayers to recognized labor organizations starting January 1, 2026. It directly affects individual taxpayers who pay union dues to organizations certified as bargaining representatives under state law. The credit reduces income tax liability dollar-for-dollar, with any excess treated as an overpayment refundable without interest. This policy change applies to dues paid for representation in matters like wages, hours, or working conditions, as defined in the bill.

Relates to prohibiting New York city boards of elections from entering into contracts for certain services related to the conduct of elections with any entity that does not employ union labor.