TAKE THE PLEDGE — PEF Executive Board Member Thomas Comanzo (below) hands a state worker a leaflet urging him to take the contract pledge. Even state Deputy Director of Employee Relations John Currier (right) takes a copy as PEF members and staff distribute the leaflets in February at the state Empire State Plaza in Albany. — Photos by John Epting


All state workers urged to take the contract pledge
PEF rejects state’s proposal, raises the bar

By DEBORAH A. MILES
The “It’s Your Move” campaign launched by PEF earlier this year to make state negotiators respond to PEF’s PS&T contract proposals paid off. After a year of bargaining, the state finally offered PEF a proposal in mid-February.

As this issue of The Communicator goes to press, PEF leaders have rejected the state’s proposal, but were encouraged that negotiations are moving to a higher level.

“The proposal did not satisfy the needs of our members,” said PEF Vice President and Contract Chair Ken Brynien. “We will offer a counter proposal and wait for the state to respond.”

In the interim, PEF continues to wage its “Take the Contract Pledge” campaign. More than 4,000 faxes to the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations have been sent. The pledge states: “I will not accept a contract that does not have a base wage increase in each year; that has significant health concessions including increases in premium percentages; that diminishes the health insurance benefits of present or future retirees; and, that does not provide cost-of-living adjustments for high cost geographic areas.”

“The more people who sign the contract pledge, the greater the effect on the contract terms for all state employees,” said Roger Scales, PEF director of labor relations and chief negotiator. “We encourage our members and other state workers to come together in support of this campaign.

“Since negotiations began, PEF’s goal has been to raise the bar. In the past, other unions that set the bargaining pattern have accepted zeroes. We reject that and are taking the lead on raising the bar in this round of bargaining. We can continue to move in a more promising direction if PEF members and all state workers send in the pledge,” Scales said.

Union leaders said the 4,000 faxed pledges sent in the first week is a good start. Bargaining teams for the state-employee unions would be empowered if all 52,000 PEF members and 100,000 other unionized state employees took part.

Take the state worker’s contract pledge by sending a free fax online. Log onto www.unionvoice.org/campaign/pledge.
Or, clip the pledge on the back cover of this Communicator, sign it and give it to a PEF steward who will arrange for it to be faxed.

“The solidarity of all state workers will benefit us all,” Brynien said. “Whether it’s PEF or another union that settles first and establishes the pattern, we will all be advantaged if the state understands that any agreement must address the issues raised in the contract pledge.

“We will work with all state employees to ensure that whatever pattern is set, it meets the core needs of everyone.”

Communicator Homepage March 04

Inside This Issue
Features
PEF tells lawmakers to keep
Court rules grievance denial
Battle for Middletown Psych Center
PEF rejects state’s contract offer
Take the contract pledge
Saving Camp McGregor
Shadow agencies undercutting trust
Parole rule changes spark concerns

Departments
President's Message
Member's Mailbag
PS&T Contract Update
Nurses' Station
Member Mobilization
Health Notes
Retirees In Action
Back Cover Ad
PEF Membership Benefits &Travel

Union Matters
PEF victory allows Downstate nurses
State lagging to help its 9/11 ‘heroes’
Struggle to save members at OCFS
WTC recovery worker still sick, hurting
PEF political volunteers get out the vote
Nurses set Lobby Day for May 4
Mobilizer conference, workshops
Vacant PEF Board seat filled
Attention Veterans

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.

Other Links
Professional Directory
Members' Classified
Member Communicator Feedback
Do You Prefer The Online Edition?
How To Advertise Here
PEF Pride Store
The Communicator Staff

Questions on this site?
Email the comwebmaster

Register here on the PEF Member Network.

Click Here email notice when next issue is online

Site Map    What's New    Search