BILL NUMBER: S8626A
SPONSOR: MANNION
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public service law, in relation to call centers for
gas and electric corporations
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of this bill is to permit a gas or electric corporation and
a bona fide labor organization representing a call center through a
collective bargaining agreement to initiate a work flexibility arrange-
ment that allows a member of such bona fide labor organization to work
from an approved alternative worksite.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of this bill would allow for gas or electric corporation and a
bona fide labor organization representing call center employees through
a collective bargaining agreement to initiate a work flexibility agree-
ment that allows a member of such bona fide labor organization to work
from an approved alternative worksite other than a call center location,
establish a hearing process for violations, and make technical amend-
ments.
Section 2 of this bill would establish penalties if any such public
utility company, corporation, or person and the officers, agents and
employees thereof knowingly sends a customer assistance inquiry outside
a gas or electric corporation's New York state service territory or
outside the state of New York without notice, a hearing and approval
before the Public Service Commission.
Section 3 of this bill establishes a severability clause.
Section 4 of this bill provides that the effective date shall take
effect immediately and shall apply to all actions or proceedings
commenced on or after the effective date of this act.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Public utilities, such as gas or electric corporations, must provide
call center customer assistance in order to field various inquiries from
their customers, which could come via phone or in writing. Such
inquiries cover a wide range of topics, including initiation or termi-
nation of services, billing, metering, company policies and procedures,
and referring customers to social service agencies or emergency
services. The ability to work remotely provides flexibility for workers
and greater access to employment opportunities; as such, flexibility
improves recruitment and retention of employees. Workers at call centers
should be able to take advantage of remote work without fear of losing
their jobs.
Additionally, there have been instances of corporations seeking to
change the location of their call centers. The law currently requires
that such corporations provide notice to the Public Service Commission
(PSC) and engage in a public hearing facilitated by PSC to gather testi-
mony and commentary from key stakeholders, interested parties, and the
general public about the planned relocation. A similar standard would be
applied to changes in work flexibility agreements.
Ensuring that workers are able to work in a way that is most effective
to them and their employer, without being penalized for flexibility, is
critical as the State grapples with a post pandemic world. This bill
would allow for a gas or electric corporation and a bona fide labor
organization representing call center employees through a collective
bargaining agreement to initiate a work flexibility agreement that
allows a member of such bona fide labor organization to work from an
approved alternative worksite other than a call center location.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to all actions or
proceedings commenced on or after the effective date of this act.

Statutes affected:
S8626: 25 public service law
S8626A: 25 public service law