PEF Executive Board to vote on tentative agreement

PEF’s Executive Board will meet August 11 to vote on the tentative agreement PEF reached with the state in July. If the agreement is approved by the Board, ballots will be mailed to the membership in September.

Details of the tentative agreement will be made available online, as quickly as possible. PEF is currently in the process of finalizing contract language and preparing information which will address many of our members’ questions regarding details of the agreement, and how it will affect them.

Complete contract language and a summary of contract tradeoffs will be mailed to the Executive Board two weeks prior to their meeting and to the members upon approval by the Executive Board for ratification by the membership.

The PEF Contract Committee will be announcing scheduled meetings across the state where they will be available to answer member questions concerning the tentative agreement prior to ratification.

PEF reaches tentative agreement, awaits Executive Board vote

PEF reached a tentative contract agreement with the state late last week. As a result of the conceptual agreement, the governor has agreed to rescind the planned layoffs of nearly 1,000 PEF members.

PEF President Ken Brynien said the agreement will preserve members’ jobs and careers while bringing long term fiscal stability to the state. He said PEF is confident this is the best agreement that could be negotiated in the current fiscal environment. PEF’s Executive Board will vote on the tentative agreement August 11. The board has to approve sending the tentative agreement to the membership for ratification.

For breaking contract news, visit the PEF website (pef.org), sign up for the Active Informed Member (AIM) bulletins,  and follow PEF on Facebook and Twitter.

Contract teams continue talks

PEF’s PS&T contract team continues to meet with state negotiators this week. They have received a presentation from the state Division of the Budget about the state’s contract proposal.

For updates and breaking news, sign up for the Active Informed Member (AIM) bulletins, visit the PEF website (pef.org) and follow PEF on Facebook and Twitter.

PEF seeks member input in contract negotiations

PEF’s PS&T negotiating team will meet with state negotiators later this week. Since the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) reached a tentative agreement with the state last week, PEF has only received an incomplete revised contract proposal from the state.

PEF views the layoff threats and “leaked” documents to the press regarding layoffs as unproductive to fair negotiations. In light of the CSEA agreement and the increased threat of layoffs to PEF members, PEF will be contacting its members asking for their input on negotiations through a short survey that will be posted on the PEF website.

To get the latest updates on the contract negotiations, sign up for the Active Informed Member (AIM) bulletins, follow PEF on its official Facebook page and on Twitter, and of course, on the PEF website, pef.org.

Members urged to fight back against layoffs at statewide rally

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced last Thursday his plan to layoff thousands of state employees beginning July 15. PEF President Ken Brynien said the governor’s plan is appalling and that the union will fight back.

PEF is planning a statewide rally Monday, June 20 at 12 noon to oppose the layoffs, and demand a fair contract. Please go to the PEF website or sign up for Active Informed Member (AIM) bulletins for the most recent information.

More than ever, PEF needs every member to step up to the plate and help fight against the layoffs, and for a fair contract. Just as thousands of Wisconsin workers rallied when their governor tried to crush their labor movement, it is our time to stand up, be strong, and show our strength in solidarity.

Every PEF region will hold a rally. Information about the location will be available on the PEF website, the official PEF Facebook page and on Twitter. You may also call your regional office for more information.

An important PS&T contract negotiations bulletin is also posted on the PEF website where you can view a summary of the state’s contract proposal and PEF’s counter proposal.

To keep updated, members again are being urged to sign up for the AIM bulletins, and to keep checking the PEF website, Facebook and Twitter.