PEF Executive Board Approves Sending Revised Tentative Contract to Membership

ALBANY, NY (10/17/2011)(readMedia)-- The Executive Board of the New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) today voted to send a revised contract agreement with the state to the full union membership for ratification.

The board is made up of 137 union leaders representing PEF members from every state agency. Ballots for ratification will be mailed immediately to union members. Votes must be returned by Thursday, November 3 for counting that day by the American Arbitration Association in Manhattan.

"The Executive Board recognizes the changes we were able to obtain under the revised agreement address many of the concerns of our members," said PEF President Ken Brynien.

"Today's vote gives hope to the 3,496 members who face losing their jobs if the contract is not approved. The revised agreement balances the needs of all of our members and I am strongly encouraging our membership to ratify the new agreement to save the jobs of their co-workers while preserving the level of service to taxpayers," Brynien said.

The revised agreement is a four-year contract that includes reimbursement for the nine furlough days, payable at the end of the agreement. Additionally, since the deficit-reduction leave would now be a wage deferral, there is no effect on final average salary for purposes of retirement. 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 salary increase of 2 percent is included for 2014. The lump-sum payment included in the earlier tentative agreement would be exchanged to reimburse furlough days.

PEF is the state's second-largest state-employee union representing 55,000 professional, scientific and technical (PS&T) employees and other public and private employees.The contract covers the PS&T employees.

Note: Unedited Video of PEF President Ken Brynien will be available at the following FTPsite:

ftp.glpvideoproduction.com - User: glpclient - Pswd: GLPftp2011 - Name of file - PEF Vote 10/17.