Significant Improvements/Concession Resistance
Tentative 2003-2007 PEF Contract

Article 4 – Employee Organizational Rights/EOL

·        No changes

Article 7 – Compensation

·        $800 lump sum bonus on ratification (one payment)

·        2.5% increase on base salary - April 2004 (retroactive)

·        2.75% increase on base salary - April 2005

·        3% increase on base salary - April 2006

·        $800 increase on base salary - April 1, 2007

Merit Step

·        New merit advance step for Salary Grades 1-18 effective 4/1/07. This will be a new step, above existing job rates and will not impact eligibility for longevity awards. The size of the merit advance step will be the amount necessary to achieve parity with CSEA salary grades 1-18.  A separate objective performance review with appeal will occur before this step is awarded.

Longevity Portability

·        An employee’s base pay following  promotion will include the value of any performance award (longevity) received in the preceding 12 months

Article 7 – Side Letter COLA Study

·        Cost of Living Adjustment Study will examine issues related to employment in locations where cost of living exceeds national average (to be completed by 4/1/07)

Article 8 – Side Letter Pre-tax Transportation Benefit Pilot Program

·        Pilot program to provide pre-tax transit pass benefits expanded to include all interested PS&T Unit employees working in NYC.  The State will also discuss expanding the pilot to other transportation benefits and other geographic areas of the State

Article 9 – Health Benefits

·        Inpatient radiology, anesthesiology and pathology services performed by non-par physicians at network hospitals are paid-in-full services (less any applicable co-pay) effective 1/1/05.  These non-par services will no longer be subject to annual deductible, 20% coinsurance and amounts exceeding Reasonable and Customary charges.

·        Annual dental benefit maximum will increase from $1,800 to $2,300 per person (1/1/06)  Out-of-network differential for non-participating dental services eliminated (1/1/06)

·        Medical Flexible Spending Account will cover over-the-counter drugs (as soon as practicable)

·        PEF will explore reestablishing an Employee Benefit Fund for Dental and Vision benefits. If  beneficial, PEF’s assuming responsibility for these benefits will be brought to Joint Committee on Health Benefits for determination 

Article 12 – Attendance & Leave

·        Agreement that all PS&T Unit employees covered by Attendance Rules accrue sick leave at the 13 day rate incorporated in contract language

·        All sick leave at half pay mandatory for all PS&T Unit employees with one year of cumulative service.  No waiting period unless an employee was disciplined for leave abuse in prior year (if disciplined, employee may have 10 day waiting period).

Article 12.17

·        No changes

Article 12 – Leave Donation Appendix

·        Employees may now donate vacation time across agency lines (effective upon ratification, until 4/1/07, unless extended by agreement) 

Article 26 – Institution Teachers

·        Institution teachers will accrue 4 days of personal leave beginning with the 2004-05 school year

Article 34 – Triage and Expedited Arbitration Pilot

·        A triage and expedited arbitration process will be reestablished on a pilot basis to provide a more expeditious process for reviewing and deciding grievances on a non-precedent setting basis than is provided by the traditional arbitration process.  Pilot program will continue for 2 years after  appointment of the select arbitrator or until 4/1/07 which ever is earlier unless renewed by parties’ agreement  

Article 44 – Joint Committee on Nursing & Institutional Issues

·        Nursing and Institutional Issues Joint Committee created to study and make recommendations regarding issues facing nurses and other professionals in institutional settings.