memo

TO:                 Executive Board
                        Council Leaders          

DATE:            July 19, 2004

SUBJ:            Agreement for Tentative PEF/PS&T Contract

We are very pleased to announce that after 19 months of negotiations, the Contract Team, Lead Negotiator and President all believe we have a contract that the membership will comfortably ratify. 

The Executive Board will receive the full text of the tentative contract and all related documents later this week.  The Board will convene to consider sending this tentative contract to the membership for a ratification vote on July 30 at 11:00 a.m. at the Desmond Hotel in Albany. A two-page list of significant “Improvements/Concession Resistance” is attached, as well as a full listing of gains and trade offs by article.

We began negotiations four years ago when the convention delegates approved the establishment of the $3 million contract War Chest.  We then began reinforcing the theme that patience and purpose are important components of any negotiations.  Finally, we understood we had to use the power of mobilization, public relations and politics to achieve a fair contract.  All of these components have been used to achieve a very solid tentative agreement in the worst economic times for New York State since the 1930s. 

The Statewide Officers extend our appreciation to the Contract Team, our staff, the Executive Board, local PEF leaders, delegates, mobilizers and members.  Their support permitted this effort to be sustained for the past two years. 

Thank you.

                 Roger E. Benson                                        Kenneth D. Brynien

                      President                                                     Vice President &

                                                                                         Contract Team Chair

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