3/27/2003

Contract talks progress, Members in military service receive benefits

Table Talk – PEF’s PS&T contract team met with negotiators from the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations (GOER) on Wednesday, March 26 and competed the initial question and answer phase. The negotiations now move to the next level as the bargainers select specific issues for more in-depth discussion. 

If agreed upon by both negotiating teams, the next meeting, tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, April 9, will be a review of health benefits by GOER’s bargaining representatives. PEF’s contract team will be prepared to discuss nursing issues.

Military Leave - PEF has been successful in obtaining a Memoranda of Agreement with GOER to protect the benefits of PEF members called to active military duty.  Click on the following to read frequently asked questions and answers that summarize the benefits provided by the multiple agreements we have signed. FAQ on Military Activation 

Performance Advance Payments - Performance Advance payments are effective 03/27/03 (Administration) payable in checks dated 04/23/03 and 04/03/03 (Institution) payable in checks dated 05/01/03. Read the entire OSC payroll bulletin at http://www.osc.state.ny.us/paysr/bulet377.htm 

State denies performance advances and longevity awards to non-union workers - The vast majority of unionized employees who work for the state have rights to performance advances and longevity awards as a direct result of their respective Collective Bargaining Agreements. What follows is a report on the fate of 12,000 state employees who are not covered by a collective bargaining agreement. In short, the state is denying them their 2003 advances and awards due to the fiscal crisis.  This state action is most certainly a harbinger of what will be a long, hard-fought battle in negotiations with the unions.