Across the state, members upbeat about contract deal

By DEBORAH A. MILES
The news of the New York state gubernatorial transition in mid-March left some PEF members wondering if it would affect PEF’s tentative PS&T collective bargaining agreement. It doesn’t.

“PEF has no reason to believe the state of New York will not fulfill its statutory obligations in moving forward with the tentative agreement,” said PEF President Ken Brynien. “We expect the ratification will proceed as scheduled.”

Lately, much of the political news has focused on the exit of Eliot Spitzer and on Gov. David Paterson’s baptism by fire into the state’s budget process. Considering the upheaval in the governor’s office, PEF members are relieved and appreciate that a solid deal has been locked down. That’s what they have been telling the PEF contract team in meetings across the state.

“With all that’s happened during March, there is a palpable sense of relief among our members. Our negotiations finished at a point in time described as the edge of an economic abyss,” said PEF Vice President and Contract Chair Lou Matrazzo. “Our members understand that being without a contract would make them extremely vulnerable during an uncertain financial climate.”

“This security becomes even more important as the Spitzer scandal and aftermath have caused a disruption in the executive chamber,” added PEF Director of Labor Relations Roger Scales.

Retroactive raises
Since Brynien and state Director of Employee Relations Gary Johnson shook on the deal in February, members from PEF’s contract team have held dozens of meetings throughout the state to answer questions and explain specific contract language.

“The mood of the members is upbeat in every region,” Scales said. “They are relieved and know it’s a
good contract. For the first time since 1982, members will see annual across-the-board raises retroactive to day one of a multi-year deal. In general, the meetings are well-attended, and we have seen several standing-room-only crowds, such as at the Empire State Plaza meeting in Albany where several hundred members participated.”

Top issues
From PEF Region 1 to Region 12, the top issues members want to know about include the pay dates for the retroactive raises, pay parity, the status of educational programs and retroactive tuition, and information about the vision program.

“There is general satisfaction with the outcome of the health insurance negotiations,” Scales said. “It was believed this area in bargaining would cause the greatest pain. It never developed because prior negotiations made changes which kept costs under control. When we hit the table, the Empire Plan was actually experiencing single-digit inflation. To keep the plan healthy, it just needed minor tweaks.”

“Negotiators build on what previous negotiators accomplished,” said Robert Carrothers, PEF director of contract administration. “We put 250 proposals on the table and achieved upwards of 75 changes. Our contract ratification meetings are always an opportunity to mourn the demands we did not achieve and celebrate those we have.”

Last time around, PEF achieved three significant goals – sick-leave parity, job-rate parity with the Civil Service Employees Association and longevity portability. This time, the team completed parity for the balance of the comparable salary grades.

Another step forward in the new deal is the extension of educational programs.

“Historically, the state has ceased funding for educational programs when a contract expires. When this agreement ends, the programs will continue for at least nine months. This will give the next negotiations team a cushion to complete its tasks,” Scales said.

“When negotiations come up again, the team can concentrate on other big-ticket items,” Matrazzo said. “Rather than playing catch-up, the team will be able to focus on the uniqueness of our membership and seek changes to best meet the needs of the professional unit.”

Members must return their ballots by April 10 for counting April 11 by the American Arbitration Association in New York City.