The Civil Service Employees Association is halting political endorsements and contributions to political campaigns in response pension reform measures recently approved by the state Legislature.

“CSEA will immediately suspend all state political endorsements and contributions,” said CSEA President Danny Donohue.

“This unprecedented action is a direct result of the political deal between Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the state legislative leadership, Senate Republicans and Assembly Democrats, trading the future retirement security of working New Yorkers for legislative redistricting lines.

Unions including CSEA, the leading public employee’s union in the state, have said the new pension deal could result in pensions worth 40 percent less than previous agrements.

“This action is necessary to give our union the opportunity to re-evaluate our political relationships and make judgments about the criteria we use in determining who has earned and deserves our support. It is also important to consider how our support is valued” Donohue said.

“CSEA will also use this time to consult with our brother and sister unions and other allied community organizations about how we can collectively address the disrespect and disenfranchisement of working people by our state's elected officials,” said Donohue.

“New Yorkers should understand that lawmakers' actions did not result from meaningful debate and good judgment – it resulted from political expediency – and it will have harmful consequences to people and communities now and for a long time to come.

“CSEA will seek better ways to hold elected officials accountable and ensure that the voices of working people will be heard and addressed in New York state,” the union chief said.