§ 700. Findings and policy. In the interpretation and application of this article, and otherwise, it is hereby declared to be the public policy of the state to encourage the practice and procedure of collective bargaining, and to protect employees in the exercise of full freedom of association, self-organization and designation of representatives of their own choosing for the purposes of collective bargaining, or other mutual aid and protection, free from the interference, restraint or coercion of their employers.

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Terms Used In N.Y. Labor Law 700

  • employees: includes but is not restricted to any individual employed by a labor organization; any individual whose employment has ceased as a consequence of, or in connection with, any current labor dispute or because of any unfair labor practice, and who has not obtained any other regular and substantially equivalent employment; and shall not be limited to the employees of a particular employer, unless the article explicitly states otherwise, but shall not include any individual employed by his parent or spouse or in the domestic service of and directly employed, controlled and paid by any person in his home, any individual whose primary responsibility is the care of a minor child or children and/or someone who lives in the home of a person for the purpose of serving as a companion to a sick, convalescing or elderly person or any individuals employed only for the duration of a labor dispute, or any individual who participates in and receives rehabilitative or therapeutic services in a charitable non-profit rehabilitation facility or sheltered workshop or any individual employed in a charitable non-profit rehabilitation facility or sheltered workshop who has received rehabilitative or therapeutic services and whose capacity to perform the work for which he is engaged is substantially impaired by physical or mental deficiency or injury. See N.Y. Labor Law 701
  • representatives: includes a labor organization or an individual whether or not employed by the employer of those whom he represents. See N.Y. Labor Law 701
  • Settlement: Parties to a lawsuit resolve their difference without having a trial. Settlements often involve the payment of compensation by one party in satisfaction of the other party's claims.

It is also hereby declared as the public policy of this state that the best interests of the people of the state are served by the prevention or prompt settlement of labor disputes and that the voluntary resolution of such disputes will tend to promote permanent industrial peace and the health, welfare, comfort and safety of the people of the state. Representatives of employers and employees engaged in such disputes are encouraged voluntarily to submit them to the agency created by this article prior to engaging in a strike, lock-out or other cessation of employment; and should participate fully and promptly in any meetings which may be arranged by the agency for the purpose of resolving the dispute.

To carry out such policy, the necessity for the enactment of the provisions of this article is hereby declared as a matter of legislative determination.

All the provisions of this article shall be liberally construed for the accomplishment of this purpose.

This article shall be deemed an exercise of the police power of the state for the protection of the public welfare, prosperity, health and peace of the people of the state.