CONTRACT '07 UPDATE # 1

PEF COMMUNICATES READINESS TO NEGOTIATE
PEF has given written notice to Governor Spitzer of our availability to begin negotiations.  A copy of the letter can be read at the PEF Contract '07 page http://www.pef.org/pst2007/index.htm

BACKGROUND
The contract covering the Professional, Scientific and Technical (PS&T) unit of New York State employees runs through April 1st.  Negotiating a successor agreement is the responsibility of PEF and the Governor's Office of Employee Relations (GOER). GOER is actually charged with negotiating and administering 14 Executive Branch collective bargaining contracts as well as managing the MC workforce. You can read more about GOER at http://www.goer.state.ny.us/

Historically, negotiations with PEF would begin between January 1 and mid - February of the year in which the contract term ends.

REBUILDING GOER
At this writing Governor Spitzer has not named a Director of GOER and the Associate Director responsible for negotiating a contract with PEF has tendered his resignation.  Making appointments to these positions by the State is obviously critical to the process moving forward.

SUNSETS or "What happens if there isn’t a new contract on April 2, 2007? Will I lose any benefits?"
PEF has been successful over the past several negotiations in removing many significant "sunsets" from the contract. A "sunset" provides that one's right to access a particular benefit ceases with the expiration of the contract. Benefits that do not "sunset" must continue. This is a NYS Taylor Law protection.

At this point we anticipate that all benefits including salary, health insurance, prescription coverage, dental coverage, performance (longevity) awards for those who currently earn them, performance advances, travel reimbursements, standby/on-call pay, etc. will continue. 
 
Historically the State has targeted its tuition reimbursement, PSWP and PSTP programs as "sunsets" and suspended them.  We have asked Governor Spitzer to break with history and to not sunset these this time if we do not have a successor contract in place prior to April 2. 

WE ALL PLAY A ROLE IN NEGOTIATIONS
Bargaining success (ie. 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 victory at the bargaining table results from actions away from the table.

Competently crafting and arguing proposals, keeping the membership informed, leading the fight where necessary and responding to 'calls to action' issued by the PEF leadership are significant components of this partnership.  Being informed and responding to the PEF Negotiations Team “call to action” is the primary responsibiity of each PEF member. 

STAY INFORMED   
Regular updates on the bargaining process will be posted on the PEF website (www.PEF.org), e mailed to those on the AIM distribution list and posted in the COMMUNICATOR. The PEF Info Hotline (1-800-553-2445) is updated every week and this too is utilized in keeping our members informed.   

If you do not currently receive PEF’s AIM (Active Informed Member) updates sign up today at http://www.unionvoice.org/pef/home.html