This cartoon is one of a PEF ad
campaign that appeared in The Legislative Gazette March
13, 2000. — Illustration by Bob Emmons
New PEF contract proposal modeled on MTA deal
In an effort to spark a breakthrough in PS&T contract negotiations with the state, PEF revised its contract proposal in February to more closely match terms of the pact reached recently between the state and the Transport Workers Union in New York City.
“The state clearly demonstrated that it has the resources to fairly compensate public employees,” said PEF President Roger Benson. “It has shown the will as well, by setting a contract pattern with the 32,000 state employees at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The MTA contract included annual raises of 5 percent, 3 percent, and 4 percent, in addition to an annual reduction in employee pension contributions.”
“We have stated many times in recent months that our members, and all public employees, should be treated as fairly as the MTA workers,” Benson said. “Although our original contract proposal was similar to the MTA contract, we have revised it to more closely resemble the pattern the state established with the MTA contract.”
“Negotiations are about give and take and both sides finding ways to mutually accommodate each other’s needs,” he added.
"We feel that public employees should all be treated equitably, and if we all work together, we can succeed and achieve a contract that is fair for all of the state workforce. If not, the state’s ‘divide and conquer’ tactics will prevail, and all state employees might not receive a contract as fair as the MTA’s,” Benson said.
PEF's proposal also addresses workplace issues unique to its professional membership. This package is offered as an overall agreement, and is based on the parties reaching agreement on all of the items.
— Sherry Halbrook
Highlights of PEF’s
PS&T Contract offer
(as offered February 17, 2000)
• Across-the-board
raises effective April 1 of each year:
1999-2000 5 percent
2000-2001 3 percent
2001-2002 4 percent.
• 1 percent reduction in pension contribution for
Tier III and Tier IV enrollees.
• Those not enrolled in Tier III or IV will receive
1 percent of their annual salary payable, at their
option, as cash or in a matching contribution in the
state Deferred Compensation Program.
• Location pay goes to $1,200 by April 1, 2002.
• Longevity awards added to base salary when
computing promotional salaries (meant to ensure employees
don’t take a pay cut when they take a promotion).
• No mandatory overtime except in limited,
extraordinary circumstances.
• Employer share of HMO premium would be no less
than under the Empire Plan.
• Enhanced dental coverage and vision benefit.
• Pre-tax program for out-of-pocket health expenses.
• Empire Plan coverage of adult immunizations and
radial keratotomy.
• Cash payment in lieu of coverage for employees
stationed out of state.
• All PS&T employees will accrue sick leave
based on 13 days per year.
• Employees can exchange three days of sick leave
per year for a cash contribution to a pre-tax account to
be used for payment of health-insurance expenses. The
value of the three days is $300 for 2000; $315 for 2001;
and $325 for 2002.
• Full pay for employees more than 50 percent
disabled and out on Worker’s Compensation.
• No reduction in Worker’s Comp benefits until
the employee has been offered and refused an
alternate-duty assignment.
• Strict seniority for pass days and modified
seniority for shift, work location, overtime and
voluntary transfer.
• Required reappropriation of unexpended monies for
joint committees from one year to the next.