Contract team continues bargaining

PEF’s PS&T negotiating team met with the state last week, and will continue meeting at the bargaining table to review proposals and counterproposals. PEF continues to offer constructive solutions which address the state’s budgetary need for this fiscal year. For breaking news and calls-for-action, continue to be updated by visiting the PEF website, the official PEF Facebook page or on Twitter.

PEF’s contract team awaits response from state

PEF’s PS&T negotiating team awaits a response from the state on the proposal PEF delivered in mid-May. The team anticipates the state will return to the bargaining table soon. PEF Vice President and contract team chair Tom Comanzo said members should not read anything into the brief lapses between actual bargaining sessions. These breaks are needed to review proposals and develop counterproposals. For updates, visit the PEF website, or follow PEF on Facebook.

PEF awaits response from state to resume negotiations

PEF’s  PS&T negotiating team delivered a proposal to state negotiators last week, and are still waiting for the state to respond and resume bargaining. They are anticipating the state will go back to the table this week. PEF leaders were pleased Council 82 members voted-down, by almost 3-1, the tentative agreement offered by the state. PEF’s response to the Council 82 vote is posted on PEF’s website and Facebook page. Also check there for the latest information on negotiations and sign-up for the Active Informed Member bulletins.

PEF responds to tentative agreement between Council 82 and the state

A tentative contract agreement was announced last week between Council 82 and the state of New York. The state offered PEF a similar proposal.

PEF President Ken Brynien said PEF has not accepted the state's initial offer because it would impose an unfair burden including long-term hardships on members and their families. The state's proposal would require an average PEF member to give up as much as $10,000 in salary and benefits every year of the contract. Additionally, the state made it clear that accepting these concessions would not ensure PEF members would not be laid off anyway.

PEF has a counter proposal on the table that would achieve the savings the state needs for this fiscal year. Brynien said the union is willing to accept short-term hardships for what may very well be a short-term fiscal crisis.

The Council 82 agreement does not set the groundwork for PEF’s continuing negotiations. It should be noted that the bargaining unit that agreed with the governor represents less than one percent of the state work force and is a very specialized unit that has been working without a contract since 2005.

PS&T contract negotiations continue

PEF’s PS&T contract team met with state negotiators April 5. Negotiations between PEF and the state are ongoing. The state’s negotiators continue to seek significant cost shifts in health insurance, including increased premiums for PEF members and significantly higher co-pays, while demanding hard wage freezes.

PEF has offered a counter proposal that meets the budgetary needs of the state, as identified in the enacted state budget.

PEF leaders are asking members to remain patient and ready to support actions which may be necessary to assist in achieving a fair contract.

If you haven’t already, make sure to sign up for the Active Informed Member (AIM) bulletins and continue to check the PEF website for the most up-to-date information on negotiations.