The State University of New York respects and fully supports the rights of free speech guaranteed by the constitutions of the United States and the State of New York. SUNY values the free expression of ideas and supports individuals’ right to assemble, within the parameters of our content neutral policies, to ensure compliance with time, place and manner rules. We share this information recognizing that you may engage in free speech that does not disrupt the regular operations of the campus.
In that vein, we briefly provide provisions of the Taylor Law (Article 14 of the state Civil Service Law, 1967) as applicable to strike activity so that you may understand actions (including picketing, walk outs, sit ins, and “strikes”) which would inadvertently place you in violation of the law. The Taylor Law prohibits strikes and makes it unlawful for any public employee or employee organization to engage in or cause, instigate, encourage, or condone a strike. As such, employees are cautioned that any absence from work during a strike will be presumed to be participation in such a strike in violation of the Taylor Law. Specifically, an employee who is absent from work without permission or abstains at all from the full performance of their duties without permission on the date a strike occurs shall be presumed to have engaged in such a strike.