Second contract deal addresses members’ needs


By DEBORAH A. MILES PEF made history October 16 when a


second PS&T tentative agreement was reached with Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s negotiators. PEF’s 137-member Executive Board approved the new pact the following day to send to the membership for a ratification vote. Both the union and the state worked


non-stop to reach another deal that would save 3,496 PEF members from losing their jobs while satisfying the governor’s need for approximately $75 million from the PS&T workforce to balance the state’s budget. “The changes we were able to obtain in


the revised agreement address many of the concerns raised by our members,” said PEF President Ken Brynien. “The revised agreement balances the needs of all our members. I am strongly encouraging our membership to vote ‘yes.’ If this agreement is ratified, it will save jobs and will preserve essential state services.”


What’s new The four-year new pact includes


reimbursement for all the nine furlough days, payable at the end of the agreement. “Since the deficit-reduction leave would


now be a wage deferral, there is no effect on final average salary for purposes of retirement,”


Job security “Job security is what we fight for,” said


Brynien. “Those targeted for layoffs were not just employees with little seniority. Some members with more than 25 years of state service got layoff notices. Those who are laid off would have little chance of regaining employment at the same level and pay, and many would be doomed to an early end to their careers.” In the new pact, job security is more


A NEWPACT—PEF President Ken Brynien speaks to themedia after the Executive Board approved a vote on the new agreement. —Photo byWNYT (NBC) Channel 13 TV Albany


said PEF Vice President and Contract Chair Tom Comanzo. “The agreement also includes changes to the productivity enhancement program that would allow members greater opportunity to use vacation time to offset health insurance costs.” The agreement calls for no salary


increases for years 2011, 2012 and 2013. A 2 percent wage increase is slated for 2014. The lump-sum payment that was included in the agreement rejected by the membership, would be exchanged to reimburse furlough days. “After the first tentative agreement was defeated, PEF asked its members what revisions were needed for ratification. This new pact fulfills most of the concerns members had about the original tentative agreement,” Comanzo said.


clearly defined and covers the four-year term. It also incorporates a side letter that spells out existing job protections. “Many of our members did not like the


five-year term proposed in the original tentative agreement,” Comanzo said. “By making this agreement a four-year term, we have the opportunity to negotiate the next agreement in an economic environment that may be significantly better than the current one. And it removes PEF from the same negotiating cycle as the Civil Service Employees Association, reducing the possibility of being forced into a contract pattern that does not meet the needs of PEF members.”


Working together “The governor said he will delay the


start of the layoffs to November 4,” Brynien said. “This gesture allows PEF to send out its ballots to the membership again for a vote on the new tentative agreement. “Many members are concerned the


governor said the tentative agreement doesn’t include a guarantee against future job cuts. The fact the state came back to the negotiating table for a second time shows the state’s willingness to help save jobs. We all realize some sacrifices have to be made to preserve the jobs of 3,496 people.” Brynien also said PEF leaders reached


out to all members through tele-town-hall meetings to answer any questions about the tentative agreement and to move forward in solidarity. The October tentative agreement with a


side-by-side comparison of the July tentative agreement is available at pef.org. Ballots were mailed October 18 and


SAVE SERVICES – PEF members protest October 11 in front of PEF HQ in Latham.—Photo byMario Bruni


Page 4—The Communicator November 2011


must be received by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) by 9 a.m. November 3 for counting that day. If you did not receive a ballot, or if it was lost or damaged, call the AAA at 212-718-5800.


PEF Information Line: 1-800-553-2445


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