CONTRACT BRIEFING — PEF member Pat Lavin, left, listens as the PEF PS&T Contract Team briefs Region 8 members on the tentative agreement. Above are V.P. Ken Brynien, Region 8 Coordinator Lou Matrazzo, Contract Adm. Director Bob Carrothers and Labor Relations Director Roger Scales. — Photo by John Epting
Members voting on new PS&T pact
By DEBORAH A. MILES
Early this summer, PEF leaders asked members to “dust off your rally shoes,” to help win a fair contract. The strategy worked.
After 19 months of bargaining, holding several statewide rallies and protesting appearances by the governor, PEF President Roger Benson announced on July 19 the union and state had reached a tentative agreement on a new PS&T contract.
Less than two weeks later, PEF’s Executive Board met and approved the proposed pact by a vote of 76 to 28, clearing the way for a ratification vote by the 52,000 PEF members in the PS&T unit.
“This contract contains dozens of positive changes for our members,” Benson said. “It addresses salary schedule inequities, secures sick leave enhancements for two-thirds of our members, offers longevity portability upon ratification and offers dozens of other enhancements.”
Members would also receive the same compensation package other state-employee unions received, if the PEF pact is ratified. The tentative agreement would give members base pay increases totaling 8.25 percent from April 2004 to April 2006, plus $800 added to base salary in April 2007.
“The state offered us no enhancements and wage increases totaling only 3 percent in the beginning. Now, we have an agreement equal in compensation to those of other state unions, and it provides some enhancements specific to the PS&T unit. It is fair and meets many of our members’ needs,” said PEF Vice President and Contract Chair Ken Brynien.
”Hard work and determination paid off, despite the state’s projected $17 billion budget deficit during the term of this contract,” he said.
“There are 70 benefit enhancements and no concessions outside of the few expected ones in health insurance. We also maintained our distinction as the only contract that contains timekeeping restrictions,” said Roger Scales, PEF director of labor relations and chief negotiator.
PEF applauds members
PEF leaders credit the membership for getting the best possible contract, especially during a time of severe budget shortfalls and skyrocketing health care costs.
“It was the action away from the bargaining table that gave us strength at the table,” Scales said. “This contract is a result of patience and participation from our members, especially those who joined us in rallies and informational picketing.”
“Our members faced a test of patience and stood in solidarity,” added Bob Carrothers, PEF director of contract administration. “We thank them all for their support.”
Ratification timetable
Members received a copy of the tentative contract, mailed to their homes, in early August. Meetings to brief members on the tentative agreement were held throughout the state in August and will continue in early September. Ballots were mailed August 30 and must be returned by September 13. The American Arbitration Association will count the votes September 14 in New York City.
If the agreement is ratified, the state Department of Audit and Control will begin processing payments immediately. Members would begin to receive raises and the $800 signing bonus as soon as possible.
For specific timetables, check the PEF Web site at www.pef.org, the Active Informed Member (AIM) updates or call the weekly PEF information line.
Key contract points
Highlights of the tentative agreement include:
- An $800 bonus payable as soon after ratification as practicable;
- A base pay raise of 2.5 percent retroactive to April 2004;
- A 2.75 percent raise in April 2005;
- A 3 percent raise in April 2006;
- $800 added to base salary in April 2007;
- A merit advance salary step for salary grades 1-18;
- Continued protection against the use of electronic time-keeping devices such as identification “swipe passes” for attendance purposes;
- Dental benefit enhancement - A $500 increase in the maximum allowable annual coverage from $1,800 to $2,300;
- Pre-tax transportation benefit for New York City members;
- 13 days sick leave for all members;
- Longevity portability;
- Changed structure of the prescription drug program to a three- tier program;
- An increase in office co-pays for the Empire Plan from $12 to $15 effective January 1, 2005, and an increase from $15 to $18 on January 1, 2007; and,
- Emergency room co-pay will increase from $35 to $50 on January 1, 2005, and to $60 on January 1, 2007.
The
Communicator September 04
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