11/14/2003

C.O.L.A. – YOUR ACTION IS NEEDED!
EMPOWER YOUR BARGAINERS NOW!
The fact that a dollar doesn't go the same distance in differing parts of NYS is legend. The Federal government recognizes this and provides a COLA for their employees who work in the Downstate New York Region. The State’s negotiators are now at the bargaining table with PEF. PEF has a proposal on the table to address this problem. Send a fax to the Governor today and ask your friends and co-workers to do the same. Let him know how important this issue is to you and your family! Click here
http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/wage_cola_for_pef.

“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.” PEF 2003 Contract Team

TABLE TALK
We continued negotiations this week with the State presenting additional details about its health insurance proposals. The specifics of some of their proposals confirmed how difficult an area this is for both the State and PEF, but both sides agreed to continue our dialogue to find common ground on various changes both sides could accept. The State also indicated that they were continuing the internal discussions that were necessary before they could finalize the remainder of their health insurance proposals.

ON TAP
As high level discussions continue PEF has made its team available 24/7.