One of the unique laws that protect public employees in New York State is the Triborough amendment that not only requires the employer to maintain the provisions of the lapsed contract while a new one is negotiated but prohibits the employer from imposing new provisions or changing an existing contract without union approval. The print media has complained continuously about the Triborough amendment and wants it eliminated from the State's Taylor Law. However, there is little political support for the elimination of the Triborough amendment law that protects a public employee union member in New York State.
In states without a similar amendment to protect public sector employees, the State and Municipality can impose new rules and some do. The latest example is in Philadelphia where the City and State ripped up the existing teachers union contract and imposed a $200 monthly health insurance deduction, eliminated welfare coverage payments, and end all contributions for retirees. This follows in the footsteps of eighteen other states that have changed teacher tenure law and other contract provisions without union approval.
Its a good thing that we live in a State that has real civil service protections. Can you imagine if ex-Mayor Michael Bloomberg had his way and imposed his own teacher contract what it would look like? Remember this?How about this? Let's hope that never changes.