9/8/2007

CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE #18
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 Nick Vagianelis, Director of Classification and Compensation, as well as a couple key staff came to our bargaining session. C&C is responsible for job allocation and classification matters in the classified service. The responsibilities include reviewing claims that individuals are performing duties not appropriate to their job classification. PEF has several proposals on the table to modify the current out of title grievance process. 

We also have a proposal to correct what we see as a defect which impacts the  current reallocation process. We provided an example of the problem - the recent upgrade of nurse practitioners and physician assistants. The titles were, in theory, upgraded to bring the pay in line with similar positions and to improve the state's ability to recruit and retain. The upgrades moved the positions from overtime eligible to ineligible status. The resulting sad fact is that although the titles were upgraded several grades many incumbents actually earn less money for performing the same work. This is clearly an area where the contract intersects with the State's authority to reallocate.

We urged that the contract be changed so that future actions by C&C would have the intended effect. As with most of our other issues the State reserved response for a future time.

ENCORES and WORTH REPEATING!
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 on September 11, 2007.