The Employer and Union negotiators met on Wednesday, July 9. There was substantive bargaining in several non-economic areas.

The Union confronted directly the failings of the Article 34 grievance procedure and cited several facts in support of their proposal for significant changes to the current procedure. Problems flagged include an ever increasing number of backlogged grievances, an absence of timely grievance decisions being issued by the employer at the 3rd step, and an apparent inability for the employer to schedule a sufficient number of arbitrations at any one time. The parties spent several hours discussing in a frank manner the not uncomplicated reasons for this picture. Discussion will no doubt continue at a future session.

The Employer and the Union bargainers also had substantive discussions about their respective needs in both Articles 36 (anti-discrimination protection) and 26 (10 month teacher issues).

To date there has been little substantive bargaining (i.e. no give and take) in economic areas. Discussion on economics has been limited to each party describing their needs to the other in any particular area. A valuable exercise, no doubt, but an early stage of any bargaining process to be sure.

Negotiators will next meet on Wednesday, July 23. Issues on tap include a discussion of PEF's needs in Article 25 (seniority) and 17 (out of title protections). The Union will be prepared to make an in-depth presentation on our Article 7 needs. The State may give more information on their proposals in several contract articles including 4, 7, 8, 10, 12, 17, 33 and 35.

Negotiations are scheduled to continue on July 30 and July 31. July 31 will be dedicated to discussions regarding the Schools for the Deaf and Blind.

PEF has identified revenue for a fair contract settlement and is calling on every PEF member to communicate our message to the Governor. Did you know that the State spends over a quarter of a billion dollars more a year on contractors and consultants than it would cost to have civil servants performing the same work? If the Governor took action to halt this abuse not only would there be enough savings for a fair contract settlement for his employees but the abominable short staffing crisis that currently exists in most agencies would be relieved. Fax a letter to Governor Pataki today. Tell him - CUT STATE WASTE!" Go to the following website and follow the directions. In less than a minute a fax will be on its way!

http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/waste_not_workers

"Bargaining success (i.e., a fair and just settlement) is the result of a partnership between the negotiators and its membership. As we saw in the last round of bargaining, a success at the bargaining table results from actions away from the table." From PEF's CONTRACT 2003 FAQ's