6/17/2004

PS&T CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE
(Previous updates can be read at http://www.pef.org/pst2003/index.htm)

TABLE TALK
Negotiations continue to move forward. The pace of progress is slower than we believe is necessary, though.  Your Contract Team is committed to working 24-7 to get it done. The State negotiators have not expressed a similar inclination. Setting aside the availability of the State's Team to meet, we are encouraged that a number of outstanding issues are being resolved and believe that the best course at this point is to continue slugging it out at the bargaining table.
 
The bottom line - we are moving in the right direction but still have a ways to go before the contract is done. In this journey, there are potential stumbling blocks that may need to be cleared.  Still, the last few weeks have very productive, and we will continue our efforts to bring our members the best possible contract we can achieve.

Thank you for your support.

SHORT TAKES
- NYSCOPBA, the union which represents DOCS Corrections Officers and one of the five unions representing NYS employees who are without successor bargaining agreements, formally declared impasse on April 27, 2004.  Their website indicates that PERB has appointed a mediator which is a first step toward binding arbitration.

- The CSEA and M/C pay bill has been signed by the Governor. 

- OSC has announced that the $800 lump sum payment will be made to CSEA and M/C employees on June 24, 2004 (institutional payroll) or June 30, 2004 (administrative payroll). These bulletins do not implement the April 2004 salary increase or pay any retroactive monies owed.  The salary increases are widely expected though to show up in pay checks toward the end of July.

- Although UUP members have ratified their contract, their pay bill has yet to be introduced in the legislature. Accordingly, there is no payment schedule in effect for any monies they are due.