| Labor groups call on Pataki to offer PEF fair pay raises |
| Support for
PEF's contract struggle has begun pouring in from
throughout the state. Labor groups are calling on Gov. George Pataki to offer state employees pay raises consistent with those he gave himself and his agency heads and other aides earlier this year. Central Federations of Labor in Buffalo, Troy, Albany and on Long Island all passed resolutions in early October which state that each group "formally, and on the record, calls for the governor of New York state to compensate unionized workers in a fair and equitable manner consistent with his treatment of himself, his nonunion staff, commissioners and legislators." That treatment involved a $49,000 annual raise for Pataki and raises of 38 percent and even up to 70 percent and higher for some Pataki appointees. "We are very pleased and grateful for this solidarity and support from the working people of the Capital District, Buffalo and Long Island," said PEF President Roger Benson. "PEF members have never asked for extravagant or luxurious treatment. In fact, our PS&T members went for four of the last eight years with no pay raises to help the state overcome its deficits," Benson said. "Now, the state can afford to pay us fairly and that's what we want. It's good to have other organizations of working New Yorkers speaking out in support of that." Similar resolutions of support are being considered by other labor councils throughout the state. "We also want to thank the many members of other unions who take the time to march with us at our contract rallies all over the state," Benson added. - Sherry Halbrook |