New York State Civil Service Law sect 76 allows permanent civil service employees to appeal disciplinary penalties.

The statute states in pertinent part: http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/lawssrch.cgi?NVLWO:

The New York City Civil Service Commission website explains the Commission’s role in the process:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/csc/html/appeals/s76disciplinary.shtml

After receiving discipline an employee may choose to file a lawsuit or Article 78

As reported by Lisa Colangelo of the NY Daily News the list for Sanitation Worker will be extended.  She notes only slightly more than 200 workers have been hired from the list and none since 2008.  Read her article here