8/23/2007
CONTRACT
NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE #17
PEF's PS&T contract team continues to meet with a team of negotiators from the
Executive Branch headed by representatives of the Governor's Office of Employee
Relations (GOER).
TABLE TALK
This past week state Division of Budget (DOB) representatives provided
negotiators a "Financial Plan Briefing". This was entirely an academic /
educational exercise. PEF negotiators brought with them economic experts. The
State's team included the Director of GOER. Historically, the director has not
attended a PEF/State Budget briefing. We look at his interest and participation
in these negotiations as a refreshing change in approach. The only time we saw
the last director was at opening day and standing in his window watching as we
picketed his building.
The DOB presentation, surprisingly and very unlike past years, focused on the
challenges of meeting competing demands for spending in the context of projected
revenue increases. Their presentation reported projected budget gaps of $3.6
billion in 2008-09 and approximately $5 billion in 2009-10 despite a projected
revenue increase from $54 billion in 2007-08 and $58.9 billion in 2009-10, all
of which impacts on their ability to meet all of their programmatic objectives.
Importantly, DOB agreed that addressing the needs of the state workforce was one
of the administration's core priorities.
Certainly we are encouraged by their statements of support, but the proof will
come in how they respond to PEF's proposals. As bargaining moves forward, we
will learn to what extent they view their workforce as an important priority.
TUITION
FAQ - How can I express my displeasure
with the State's refusal to extend the tuition reimbursement program?
A- The educational support programs like the voucher one ended with the expiration of the contract. PEF has requested on several occasions that the State continue the programs. In the alternative, we have petitioned them to agree now that when negotiations are complete individuals who expended their own money for relevant course work receive retroactive reimbursement. We would then continue negotiations of the bigger issue - removal once and for all of this "sunset". The State refuses any and all union proposals despite the irrefutable fact that denial of tuition benefits to the professionals and supervisors we represent ultimately hurts the state as an employer.
You can add your voice to ours and let the Governor know how his position impacts you and your career. Post a message to him at the following web location: http://161.11.121.121/govemail If you prefer you can call his office toll free at 1-877-255-9417.
DOCTORS
Did you know that there are full
time incumbents in the PS&T unit who are at a fixed job rate for 5 years or more
and yet never become eligible for a performance award? The 800 or so
folks barred from ever becoming eligible for recognition of their years of
service are overwhelmingly medical doctors. Union negotiators are attempting to
correct this unfairness and have asked the doctors for their support. If you're
a doctor or just interested in reading about this activity you can do so at
http://www.pef.org/pst2007/grade38memo.htm
LOCATION PAY
For many years the costs of living in NYS have varied by around 10% depending on
where one was located. Over the past several years this variation has
significantly widened. The Federal government as an employer has a systematic
method where the cost of living differences are regularly reviewed and location
pay compensation for the employees who work in the identified areas is adjusted
accordingly. This system is not unlike the way they regularly review and revise
in other dynamic areas like mileage reimbursement and hotel rates. New York
State government has linked their mileage and hotel reimbursement rates to the
fed model. They have not linked their location pay system to the fed. Unions,
including PEF, are seeking that NYS take this step.
Many thousands of postcards and letters have been signed and delivered to the
Governor in support of the multi union position. If employees in your workplace
have not communicated their support let us know how many letters/post cards you
need. Send an e mail to
mwexler@pef.org and they will be put in the mail to you.
For more info visit us at http://www.pef.org/pst2007/locationpay.htm
UPCOMING MEETING
Negotiators will next meet following Labor Day on September 5, 2007.