6.14.2007

Team Continues to Meet with Negotiators

PEF's PS&T contract team continues to meet with negotiators from the Governor's Office of Employee Relations (GOER).

During the week ending June 15 PEF explained in detail its Flexible Work Schedules and Health and Safety proposals. Negotiators also put forth for discussion a developing trend in the health insurance arena of companies limiting prescription drug co-pays on select medications where employees agree to participate in a Disease Management Program. There are several companies reporting positive results as measured by healthier employees and lower costs to the employee, employer and plan. 

The Union's Flex Work Schedule proposal is to incorporate the employee and environment friendly work week options including compressed, vrws, flex starting time and telecommuting into a contract article. In support of the proposals, negotiators received a presentation from PEF members who are expert in the positive environmental impact resulting from utilization of such programs

Next week we are scheduled to discuss Contract Article 24 (Labor-Management), the Hazardous Duty Pay program, issues our members face who are both overtime ineligible and required to be on call and/or actually work beyond the normal workweek. One of PEF's 800 plus medical doctors will be present to lead a discussion about issues peculiar to the doctors. The NYS Division of Budget will give a power point presentation on the fees associated with the current practice of employer provided housing to approximately 1075 State employees.   

The tone of negotiations continues to be professional, collegial and constructive. Within the next two weeks the bargaining table should be sufficiently set to allow negotiators to begin agreeing to proposals and withdrawing those where no agreement is likely. At this writing the Union team is ready for this next step. Time will tell whether the State team receives approval from their principals to move forward immediately at the end of stage one.

For up-to-date information on negotiations, visit the PEF Web site. You can read past updates and sign-up for AIM (Active Informed Member) e-mail bulletins by visiting us at  http://www.unionvoice.org/pef/home.html