8/28/2003
Table Talk
Since the last report negotiators met on August 20 and August 27. The Union presented proposals, supporting information and argument in advancing several changes to the current Article 12 “Attendance and Leave” provisions. The State asked questions, presented additional information, advanced counter arguments to some and, in general, provided constructive insight into several. In addition to Article 12, the State responded to PEF proposals for changes in Article 26 “Institution Teachers” with no closure being arrived at.
As you will recall the State sunset the Tuition Reimbursement benefits program on April 2, 2003. They have now rejected the Union’s position that tuition reimbursement benefits ultimately agreed to in this round of bargaining would be retroactive to April 2, 2003.
The Union proposed that Tuition Reimbursement benefits continue, at a minimum, at the 2002-2003 level and that the benefits be retroactive to April 2, 2003 when a final agreement was inked. The Union raised the matter in an effort to alleviate the uncertainty those of its members currently find themselves in when looking at Fall and Winter semesters. Despite the facts that this program is of relatively minor costs to the contract and that continuing education benefits both the employer and the employee the State’s negotiators rejected the Union’s position at this time.
On Tap
Negotiations are scheduled for September 3, 10 and 11. Issues to be discussed include the balance of PEF‘s Article 12 demands and the State and Union’s needs in the Health Benefits area. In addition, the Union will be prepared to discuss Article 27, 31 and 38. To date the State has not provided the Union with specifics in at least 10 articles they have indicated they will open - Articles 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 33 and 42. They may or may not provide more detail in these areas in the upcoming scheduled sessions.
Press Clips - Fed Civilian Raises Reduced to 2% for 2004
“Citing a national emergency that has existed since the 2001 terrorist attacks, President Bush said Wednesday he will cut the pay raises that most civilian federal employees were to receive in January.” ( Source: AP 8.28.03)
Federal employees were to receive a 2.7 percent across the board raise and an increase based on private-sector wages in the areas where they work, called locality pay beginning in January 2004. The average increase would have amounted to 4.1%
The raises have been cut to an average of 2 percent (1.5 percent plus .5 percent for locality pay.)
“Bush is making federal employees pay for his own fiscal recklessness” AFL-CIO President John Sweeney
MONEY FOR A FAIR CONTRACT - WHAT YOU CAN DO
What can you do to help your negotiation’s team to be a fair contract from the state?
The success of our negotiations and the maintenance of our members’ job security are directly related to our getting more money into the state coffers. Join PEF’s “cut state waste” campaign! The State could save more than a quarter of a billion dollars by halting the excessive use of expensive contractors and consultants and transferring the work to the experienced and dedicated state employees!
Get involved in the campaign. 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!