Not only did representatives of other unions and labor groups show up at PEF’s contract rally in early March, a resolution of support for PEF and other state employee unions is being adopted by area labor federations and central labor councils throughout the state.

“We are getting a wonderful demonstration of solidarity from our brothers and sisters in labor all across New York,” said PEF President Roger Benson. “It means a lot to know we can count on them to be in our corner when we need them.”

By mid-March, the Western NY Area Labor Fed., Buffalo AFL-CIO, and the Albany, Schenectady, Glens Falls and Rochester Central Labor Councils had all passed the resolution that asks the governor to personally intervene in negotiations with state employee unions such as PEF to achieve immediate and fair contract settlements.

“Our 52,000 members and most of their co-workers in state service have been working without contracts since last April,” Benson said. “It’s time to bring these negotiations to a just conclusion.”

The resolution cites the state’s unwillingness to provide the same raises to its own employees “that it has provided to its MTA and Port Authority personnel; the Federal government has provided to its employees; and many NYS municipalities and school districts have provided ....”

It also points out the state “wastes a quarter of a billion dollars per year in contractor salaries that, in many cases, are twice that of civil servants who perform the same job. And the state provides these same contractors with automatic cost-of-living adjustments for wages.”
— Sherry Halbrook

Communicator Homepage April 04

Inside This Issue
Features
Contract rally sizzles
Rally activists speak their minds
PEF weighing its options
Keep Fulton Corrections open
Camp McGregor’s fate depends...
Lawmakers save Middletown Psych
PEF helps elect Fields to office
Changing the world, one cow at a time

Departments
President's Message
Member's Mailbag
Nurses' Station
Retirees In Action
Members' Highlights
Back Cover Ad
PEF Membership Benefits &Travel

Union Matters
Union halts layoffs at OCF
Judge backs nurses right to back pay
Member keeps lifesaving blood flowing
Deadline nears for OT meal allowance
PEF sending first heroes into national...
Labor community helps state workers
Grant walks the walk
Reg. 1 member running to retire
Candidates sought for E. Board
Join PEF Hispanic Committee at Somos
2004 Convention Delegate Info

Save these dates:
April 21-25
Somos El Futuro!
The annual weekend conference in Albany of the Caucus of NYS Hispanic and Puerto Rican Legislators
For more information, to volunteer, or make reservations for the reception, call Helen Brooks at the PEF Legislative Office, 1-800-724-4997.

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