PEF, GOER KICK OFF NEGOTIATONS  
PEF President Ken Brynien and the PS&T contract team met with the Director of the Governor's Office of Employee Relations, Gary Johnson, and his team late last week to officially kick-off the negotiations.

Brynien said, "PEF believes we are partners with the state and we look forward to working with the GOER team in a relatively timely manner. Our members provide the state with the best services and keep the state operating. Their benefits should be continued, so we can continue to provide quality services. We are looking forward to full discussion, and fair and open negotiations. And we are willing to work 24/7 to get this contract ratified."

Johnson said he hoped to build on the relationship he has established with PEF and said the energy at the opening discussion was based on professionalism and solid relationships. "The efficiency and quality of state operations deserves the proper remuneration. In the end, we all want a fair contract."

PEF Negotiators are under a convention delegate requirement to complete negotiations for Roswell Park and the SED Schools for the Deaf and Blind prior to finalizing the larger contract settlement.   

LEAVE DONATION PROGRAM
While the Leave Donation Program generally is a permanent contractually protected program (see Article 12.23), one provision, agreed to as a pilot in the 2003-07 Agreement, was set to expire on April 1, 2007. The provision permits cross agency donation of leave between unrelated donors and recipients. We are pleased to announce that GOER and PEF have reached an agreement to continue the benefits of this provision until September 30, 2007. The union will strive to have this "sunset" permanently removed in this negotiations.

FAQs
MERIT PAY
Q. Does the merit pay article negotiated in the last contract apply to those who gain eligibility after April 1, 2007?
A. Yes. This benefit continues and does not "sunset". Read a detailed description of the program as well as a full list of related FAQs at http://www.pef.org/memos.htm#April_2007_Merit_Advance_Rate
 
EXAM FEE REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM
Q. Is the exam fee reimbursement program affected by the expiration of the contract?
A. Not in any appreciable way. Despite the fact that the State has ceased funding the program reimbursements continue unabated. This is because the PEF Membership Benefits (MB) Program has picked up the funding.  Union negotiators will seek retro funding to compensate MB for their stepping up.

PEF Membership Benefits receives no money from member dues. You can read more about the Exam Fee Reimbursement program at http://www.pef.org/et/professional_development.htm

LIFEWORKS
Q.    Did LifeWorks "sunset" on April 1st?
 A.   No, LifeWorks is currently still available to New York State employees and will remain available through June 30, 2007.  However, due to the expiration of the State's contract with Ceridian (the company that provide LifeWorks) access to Lifeworks will be suspended beginning July 1, 2007.  Currently, the State is holding off on issuing an RFP for bidders to provide the resource and referral services that Life Works currently provides pending the outcome of negotiations with the unions.  So if you anticipate needing assistance in locating appropriate child or elder care or are looking for information on how to address child or elder care issues, contact LifeWorks now.       
 
To find out more about how LifeWorks can help you, call
800-362-9874
TTY/TDD: 800-346-9188
Or visit www.lifeworks.com
User ID: nys    Password: 2670
 
Your local EAP Coordinator is also available to assist you. To find his/her number,
call 800-822-0244 or go to www.worklife.state.ny.us/eap