NYPA Press Release

New York Power Authority and New York State Canal Corporation Announce New Five-Year Contract Agreement with Workforce that Operates and Maintains the New York State Canal System

The New York Power Authority (NYPA) and New York State Canal Corporation today announced a new five-year contract agreement with the Civil Service Employees Association, Local 1000, AFSCME, AFL-CIO. The labor union represents more than 380 New York State Canal Corporation employees that operate and maintain the 524-mile New York State Canal system. The New York Power Authority and Canal Corporation Board of Trustees approved the agreement on February 6, 2024, at their regular public meeting.

“As NYPA continues to strategically invest in the Canal system’s infrastructure so that it remains safe and operational for users and continues to support the economies of canalside communities, this contract is an investment in the dedicated and skilled workforce that ensures the Canal’s continued reliability,” said New York Power Authority President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll. “We are very pleased to have arrived at this agreement with CSEA as it guarantees each employee a competitive wage with benefits that encourages them to have a long career at the Canal Corporation.” 

The new CSEA collective bargaining agreement expires on June 30, 2027, and includes retroactive wage increases, two-percent for the first three years and three-percent for the remaining two years. In addition, the contract includes other increases in compensation as well as a one-time $3,000 signing bonus payable to employees provided they meet negotiated eligibility requirements. Other negotiated terms include changes to time-off provisions and modifications aimed at recruitment and retention efforts.

New York State Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton said, “I have personally witnessed the care and passion our workers exuberate as they operate, refurbish and rehabilitate, and modernize the working components of the Canal system, a majority of which are more than a 100 years old. As we prepare to celebrate the Erie Canal’s Bicentennial in 2025, it is very appropriate that we celebrate our staff that safeguards the Canal’s legacy and continued positive impact on our state through this contact agreement.”

The Canal Corporation actively recruits workers throughout the year. To learn more about available job openings, please visit here.

###

New York State's Nation-Leading Climate Plan

New York State's nation-leading climate agenda calls for an orderly and just transition that creates family-sustaining jobs, continues to foster a green economy across all sectors and ensures that at least 35 percent, with a goal of 40 percent, of the benefits of clean energy investments are directed to disadvantaged communities. Guided by some of the nation’s most aggressive climate and clean energy initiatives, New York is on a path to achieving a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030, and economywide carbon neutrality by mid-century. A cornerstone of this transition is New York's unprecedented clean energy investments, including more than $46 billion in 65 large-scale renewable and transmission projects across the state, $6.8 billion to reduce building emissions, $3.3 billion to scale up solar, nearly $3 billion for clean transportation initiatives, and over $2 billion in NY Green Bank commitments. These and other investments are supporting more than 170,000 jobs in New York’s clean energy sector as of 2022 and over 3,000 percent growth in the distributed solar sector since 2011. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, New York also adopted zero-emission vehicle regulations, including requiring all new passenger cars and light-duty trucks sold in the State be zero emission by 2035. Partnerships are continuing to advance New York’s climate action with 400 registered and more than 100 certified Climate Smart Communities, nearly 500 Clean Energy Communities, and the State’s largest community air monitoring initiative in 10 disadvantaged communities across the State to help target air pollution and combat climate change.

About NYPA  

NYPA is the largest state public power organization in the nation, operating 16 generating facilities and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. More than 80 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. NYPA finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. For more information visit www.nypa.gov and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and LinkedIn.

About the New York State Canal Corporation

New York’s Canal system includes four historic canals: the Erie, Champlain, Oswego, and Cayuga – Seneca. Spanning 524 miles, the waterway links the Hudson River with the Great Lakes, the Finger Lakes and Lake Champlain. The canals form the backbone of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor and connect hundreds of unique communities.

The New York State Canal Corporation is a subsidiary of the New York Power Authority.

Like Canals on Facebook at NYS Canal Corporation

Follow Canals on Twitter at @NYSCanalCorp