NYS has recognized the increased cost of living by increasing the rates paid to temporary contract employees and their employers.  The Office of General Services sent notice to all agencies that use private contractors that provide temporary personnel that the billable rates for services have been increased by 3.1% to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI).  The raises are effective for 3/7/03 through 3/6/04 and affect a variety of titles such as: Dentist, Psychologist, Social Worker, Pharmacist, and Nurse. (For example, the billable rates for temporary Registered Nurses employed in Western New York have been increased to $65.92 per hour from $63.94 per hour.  On an annual basis, this represents compensation in excess of $128,000! )

PEF and NYS negotiators met at Main Table bargaining on Tuesday, October 20.

In a not insignificant move, the parties took the first step to resolving the many dozens of issues on the bargaining table by agreeing to withdraw their proposals in Article 17 (out of title protections). Negotiators then formalized the agreement by signing off on current language. As in all traditional labor contract bargaining any agreement at this stage of bargaining is technically tentative and becomes final when an entire negotiated settlement is reached.

The State’s original demand was for greater flexibility in the area and the Union’s, not surprisingly, was for greater restrictions. After significant discussion of the merits of the proposals being advanced by both, neither side was persuaded to the point that any mutually agreeable changes to the Article were likely to be made. Since the proposals were diametrically opposed to one another both sides made the decision to withdraw their demands in this area so efforts could be focused in other important areas of the contract. This is the first instance of bargaining demands being mutually removed from the table.

You can read PEF’s original Conceptual demands in their entirety at http://www.pef.org/pst2003/faq.htm

The State negotiator asked questions regarding several of PEF’s proposals

1) Article 20 (Personal History Folder)

2) Article 31 (Standby/On-call)

3) Article 36 (Non-Discrimination)

4) Article 44 (Institutional Issues)

We anticipate that dialogue will continue on these three matters at the next bargaining session.

The Union proposed that the parties establish sub committees for discussions on Articles 8 and 33. The State has taken the proposal under advisement.

PEF negotiators reminded the State that the Contract Addendums for the Schools and Roswell Park will need to be completed before the Union will consider this negotiations complete.

Negotiators will meet on Wednesday October 29 and discuss the parties Health Benefits demands.

Your Visibility and solidarity will make the difference! Join them in a fight for

November 19, 2003

12 noon

State Capital

Call you nearest PEF Regional Office for details and bus information! Phone numbers and addresses are available on line at http://www.pef.org/regionaloffices.htm