Members ratify PS&T agreement with the state

Last week, seventy percent of PEF members who voted to ratify the contract, saved the jobs of 3,496 PEF members who were targeted for layoffs. The count was 27,718 to 11,645.

The new four-year pact also preserves numerous vital state services that PEF members provide.

Now that the contract is ratified, members may be wondering how some of the changes will work. The PEF website, pef.org, has valuable information in the Contract Resource Center link. You can view the full text of the agreement, or a summary of the gains and trade-offs, and a memo on how the nine furlough days will impact final average salary.

Check your mail for your ballot and The Communicator

The American Arbitration Association (AAA) has sent out ballots to members to vote on the PS&T tentative agreement negotiated with the state earlier this month. Ballots must be received by the AAA by 9 a.m. November 3 for counting that day.

If you did not receive a ballot, or if it was lost or damaged, call the AAA at (800) 529-5218.

PEF President Ken Brynien said the revised agreement balances the needs of members and encourages ratification of the agreement.

For details on the agreement, you can find a side-by-side comparison of the first tentative agreement that was defeated with the one negotiated this month on the PEF website, pef.org.

The November issue of The Communicator also contains information about the new tentative agreement. It is scheduled to be delivered this week and next week.

PEF’s contract team is willing to meet with the state’s negotiators

PEF President Ken Brynien said the union is prepared to meet with the state to discuss how it can alter the tentative contract agreement that members rejected.

“I heard the governor’s willingness to have open communications with us and I am encouraged the governor is willing to hear our ideas. At this time, we see no evidence to suggest that a revote would result in a different outcome.

“PEF is anxious to discuss with the governor’s negotiators how we an reach an agreement the PEF membership would be willing to ratify, while preserving state services and meeting the savings the state requires.

Our team remains in place, ready, and willing to meet with the governor’s negotiators. We are now in the process of making those arrangements,” Brynien said.

For the latest updates, continue to visit the PEF website, pef.org.

Contract voting ballots have been mailed out

The PS&T tentative agreement voting ballots were mailed to members September 2.  If you did not receive a ballot or if it was damaged or misplaced, contact the American Arbitration Association (AAA) at 1-800-529-5218 to request another one.  Ballots are due back September 26, and will be counted by the AAA September 27 in Manhattan.

Contract team visits members in PEF Regions 4, 5, 9

Leaders and members of PEF’s PS&T contract team will hold membership meetings this week to discuss and answer any questions members may have about the tentative agreement before the ballots are due back next week.

On Monday, September 19, a meeting will be held in New Hampton at the Mid-Hudson Forensic Psychiatric Center. Call the PEF Region 9 office at 1-800-548-4870 for more information.

The team will be in Norwich and Glendale Tuesday, September 20. If you would like to attend, call the Region 5 office at 1-800-724-4998.

Meeting information is also on the PEF website, pef.org, under the Contract Resource Center link.