New York State Governor's Office of Employee Relations State Employees Strike Hearing and Determination Files

Arranged by topic, then by employee name or institution.

As the agency responsible for administering the Public Employees' Fair Employment Act (Taylor Law) for New York State, the Office of Employee Relations (GOER) coordinated hearings and disciplinary measures resulting from the strike by the Civil Service Employees Association on April 1 and 2, 1972.

The GOER notified about 7,000 employees who were absent from work on either or both days that they were guilty of violating Section 210 of the Civil Service Law prohibiting public employees from striking and would therefore be subject to penalties. Employees who objected to GOER's conclusion were entitled to a hearing to substantiate their claims.

This series documents GOER's role in disciplining striking employees and hearing claims of those objecting to the OER's conclusion that they had participated in the strike. About half of the series consists of hearing determination case files for employees filing objections.

These files typically contain: notice to employee that GOER has determined that they were guilty of violating Section 210 of the Civil Service Law; employee's affidavit and/or letter to GOER objecting to this determination, providing reasons and supporting documentation (e.g. physician's certification that employee was ill on the day(s) in question; notice to employee of scheduled hearing; hearing officer's determination report indicating final determination (objection sustained or denied) and reasons; GOER report and conclusion regarding the hearing and determination; and notice to employee of hearing officer's determination.

The series also contains a number of related records including: hearing officer lists, correspondence, and vouchers for payment; computer printouts of employees originally determined to be on strike; legal briefs and employee affidavits related to legal proceedings initiated by a number of employees to prevent the state from enforcing disciplinary measures authorized by Section 210 of the Civil Service Law on grounds of unconstitutionality and illegality, and to annul GOER's determinations of their guilt; and a small number of affidavits and related materials concerning alleged strike action by Matteawan State Hospital employees on December 30, 1972.

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.