PS&T CONTRACT UPDATE
PEF, other unions may unite in battle over health benefits

PEF’s contract negotiating team spent last month in the grinding process of clarifying proposals with negotiators from the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations. The two teams spent several weeks to ensure complete and precise understanding of each other’s proposals.

“This initial stage of negotiating may lack luster, but it is a vital and necessary step to fully understand each other’s positions,” said PEF Vice President and Contract Chair Ken Brynien.

Although discussions focused primarily on clarifying proposals, the team walked away with some good news about the pre-tax transportation pilot program.

This program was agreed upon by both PEF and GOER earlier this year to reduce subway, train and bus expenses for eligible members who work for the Labor Department, State Insurance Fund and Office of the State Comptroller in New York’s City’s five boroughs.

Now, it has expanded.

In mid-March, GOER agreed to add eligible employees who work at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn. With the addition of this facility, the size of the pilot program has effectively doubled, and members of another bargaining unit, United University Professions (UUP), will be eligible to participate.

Team members have also been preparing for a heated debate when it comes to the topic of health insurance. With proposals in the state budget to reduce the state contribution for retiree health insurance and to change the way sick leave credits are applied to health insurance premiums, Brynien said, “Our battle to assure no significant detrimental changes to health insurance will be contentious and difficult. We think there may be an opportunity for the unions to stand together and negotiate these benefits from a united front.

“We have sent letters to all of the other state unions asking them to meet with us to discuss a coordinated approach in negotiating health benefits,” he said. “We will update our progress on this important front in the coming months.” — Deborah A. Miles

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COMMUNICATOR HOMEPAGE
Inside This Issue:
Features
PEF fires back in budget battles for state services
PEF fights to raise state revenues
Budget cuts leave research in tatters
Unions may unite in battle over health benefits
DEC: Polluters’ lackies can replace state monitors

Departments
President's Message: NYS budget must be fair
You Said It: Member's letters this month
Health & Safety: Evaluating your safety risks
Member Mobilization: Building Survivor Skills
Nurses' Station: Lobby Day plans for May 5th
Retirees In Action: Fight health insurance hike
PEF Membership Benefits Program & Travel Corp
Members In Action

Union Matters
'Operation Enduring Freedom' with state workers
DOH members ahead in evacuation planning
Call for Delegates: Annual Convention Rules
Member dons dress to raise $$ for charity

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