CSEA Suspending Political Contributions

Albany, NY (WIBX) - Self-described as New York's "leading union," the Civil Service Employees Association says it is suspending all political campaign contributions pending a re-evaluation of its political relationships.

Union leaders say they feel burned in recent negotiations between New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and state legislative leaders who voted to pass the Governor's controversial Tier VI pension plan this past week. 

Tier VI treats civil service employees more like their counterparts in the private sector, forcing them to pay a greater share of their own pension benefits, and raising the retirement age from 62 to 63.

While Cuomo believes that the new plan will benefit New York taxpayers to the tune of $80 billion over the next 30 years, CSEA officials believe that savings comes on the backs of their members.

CSEA President Danny Donohue says that CSEA will take the time not spent endorsing political condidates "to consult with our brother and sister unions and other allied community organizations about how we can effectively address the disrespect and disenfranchisement of working people by our state's elected officials."