01/06/2004

TABLE TALK
Following a brief hiatus for the holidays, members of PEF’s PS&T contract team are preparing to return to the bargaining table next week, where talks will again focus on health benefits issues.

RELATED MATTERS

FEDERAL WORKER RAISES IN WORKS
USAToday, Dec 31, 2003
Bush orders 2% pay raise for federal workers

President Bush issued an executive order giving federal workers a 2% raise, but the increase is likely to be doubled when Congress returns next month. The 2% raise is what Bush proposed earlier this year. Congress sought a 4.1% raise for the workers, but members of Congress were unable to pass a spending measure that contained the raise. They expect to raise the spending bill after they convene for a new session Jan 20. The measure also contains a raise for members of Congress.

OMCE WINS SUIT
The NYS Supreme Court ruled that DOB inappropriately failed to pay MC employees their 2003 performance and merit raises. Budget had hoped to pocket up to $12 million by the action. The State has not decided whether they will appeal.

NYS CONTRACTORS
As ealier reported, the NYS Office of General Services via a “Contract Award Notification Update” granted a price escalation of 3.1% (based on the CPI) to several dozen contractors that provide temporary personnel for State agencies. The increase is effective March 7, 2003 through March 6, 2004. Based on current CPI information PEF's Research staff are predicting another increase for contractors in excess of 3% for March 7, 2004 through March 6, 2005.