 PREPARING TO BATTLE — PEF Vice
President Ken Brynien tells convention delegates the
union is preparing to make a case for raises despite the
state's budget shortfall. — Photo by Bill Sachs
Ready to
communicate, mobilize around issues
PEF brings tough
new outlook to contract talks
By SHERRY HALBROOK
At a meeting with delegates to the PEF Convention last
month in Buffalo, PEF Vice President Ken Brynien, chair
of the PS&T Contract Committee, listed a zero-free
agreement as the union’s top priority in the coming
negotiations.
The other two top priorities, he said, are to “hold
the line on major health care givebacks, and restoration
of 13 days of sick leave for members hired after April 1,
1982. The union has already reached a “handshake
agreement” with the state on the sick-leave issue.
PEF well prepared
Although it appears the state will go into these
negotiations with a multi-billion-dollar budget
shortfall, Brynien said PEF is very well prepared to make
a compelling case for fair raises.
“We have tools we never had before, including 108
fully mobilized divisions,” he said.
“We’ll come to you through your mobilizers,
e-mail and The Communicator for support. And, he added,
the union has set aside substantial financial reserves
for advertising campaigns, rallies and other actions to
support the negotiations.
He said PEF will work hard to avoid being caught again in
the trap of pattern bargaining by the state.
Plenty of tough issues
The delegates spent two hours asking questions and
sharing issues with the contract team. Among the many
issues raised were:
• Inadequate and disparate pay;
• Time and attendance problems;
• Promotion Test Battery;
• Unequal promotion opportunities;
• Untimely contract cycles;
• Under staffing;
• Privatization, shadow agencies and contracting
out;
• Mandatory overtime;
• Inability to use leave, take vacations;
• Health care/insurance costs;
• Linking longevity bonuses to job titles;
• Sick leave donation;
• Pay, space for union stewards;
• Loss of institutional memory;
• Retention incentives;
• Inadequate and disparate shift differentials;
• Inadequate and disparate hazardous-duty pay;
• Quick-fix approach to inadequate pay;
• Sunsetting tuition benefits;
• Out-of-title work;
• Class sizes, caseloads, etc.;
• Pension benefits;
• Performance evaluations;
• Personal history folders;
• Holiday pay; and
• Identity theft hazard.
PEF Labor Relations Director Roger Scales, chief PS&T
negotiator, said this was one of the few times members
did not mention the inadequacy of dental benefits as an
important priority.
“The dental-benefits issue has been raised at nearly
all of the more than 40 meetings our contract team has
held with members throughout the state,” Scales
said.
Brynien and Scales said some of the important issues
raised at these meetings cannot be directly addressed in
contract negotiations and will be addressed legislatively
or in other forums.
As it completes its scheduled meetings with members in
every PEF region and reviewing thousands of contract
surveys from members, the contract team will formulate
its priorities and strategies, they said.
Although those details cannot be published, PEF will give
members regular updates and tell them when their support
is needed.
““We’re ready. But when negotiations get
tough, we’ll need you to back us up,” Brynien
said.
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COMMUNICATOR HOMEPAGE
Inside This
Issue:
Features
Union sticks with Pataki,
Hevesi
Benson pledges: No more
zeroes
Hallum: Strict fiscal
controls, methods paying off
UFT leader shares
negotiating tips
Convention delegates adopt
eight resolutions
Delegates amend PEF
Constitution
Departments
President's Message:
Standing together
You Said It: Member's
letters this month
Member Mobilization: Div.
240 awards
Legislative Action:
Delegates give thumbs-up
Nurses' Station: Convention
roundtable on OT
Health Notes: Flex
Spending/Dependent Care
Member Mobilization:
Divisions testing system
PEF Membership Benefits
Program & Travel Corp
Union Matters
PEF brings tough new outlook
to contract talks
Early retirement window
opens at Mental Health
PEF to launch new ad
campaign
Arbitrator overturns
member’s suspension at DOH
Multi-union program mentors
future leaders
Member honored for her
unique role
PEF endorses 7 more
candidates in Nov. 5 election
Financial Statement
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