PEF Members Ratify State Contract With a 96 Percent "Yes" Vote

ALBANY, NY (12/14/2016)(readMedia)-- The American Arbitration Association in Manhattan today counted thousands of ballots from New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) members who voted overwhelmingly in favor of a three-year contract agreement with the state.

The tally was 29,255 in favor of the pact, out of a total of 30,434 ballots counted. The contract which runs from 2016 through March 31, 2019 is the second agreement ratified this year. The first one-year contract was approved June 6 with a 62 percent member participation rate in which 97 percent of the votes were "yes" votes. Both provide annual 2 percent raises, no increases in negotiated health-care costs and no givebacks.

PEF President Wayne Spence said, "This is a historical moment for PEF. I would like to thank our contract team, each member who gave of their time and dedication, and our contract team chair, Jemma Marie-Hanson.

"PEF approached this round of bargaining with the principle of being respectful, yet prepared to fight for what our members need and deserve. This contract is an example of what hard work and dutiful cooperation can accomplish from both PEF's team and the governor's negotiators.

"I thank all of our members who voted to ratify our new agreement."

"The New York State Public Employees Federation today ratified its contract that extends through 2019," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. "PEF represents more than 54,000 public employees whose contributions play a vital role in state government and move New York forward. I applaud PEF President Wayne Spence, the PEF Executive Board and the PEF membership on ratifying the contract. This agreement will continue to protect the rights of our state's workforce while maintaining the fiscal responsibility our taxpayers deserve. I look forward to continuing our work together in the future."