PEF reaches tentative contract agreement with New York State for professional, scientific and technical titles

ALBANY, N.Y. (06/08/2023) (readMedia)-- The Public Employees Federation (PEF) has reached a tentative agreement with New York State that, if ratified by the membership, would increase wages nine percent through the end of the contract's term in 2026. PEF represents more than 50,000 state employees in New York State's Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PS&T) bargaining unit.

"Our contract team began working toward this agreement at the end of last year and we are pleased to present it to our members," said PEF President Wayne Spence. "While the country faces budget-breaking inflation, we wanted to make sure that our members didn't have to sit around waiting for much-needed and well-deserved wage increases and improved benefits.

"This agreement with PEF represents a major win for the hardworking employees of New York State," said Governor Kathy Hochul. "Through this agreement, my administration is standing by its commitment to investing in New York's public workforce and continuing to work hand-in-hand with our brothers and sisters in labor. I applaud the union leadership for helping to bring this deal to fruition and for their partnership in ensuring that New York workers' pay and benefits reflect their important contributions to our state."

"Governor Hochul promised to invest in the public workforce, and we believe this contract reflects that vow," Spence said. "She has long valued the services PEF members provide to New Yorkers in good times and bad. And with this contract, she recognizes the urgent need to attract State employees in every job title with competitive wages and solid benefits. Combined with the initiatives established in this year's budget, this contract will go a long way toward recruiting and retaining the skilled professionals New York needs."

"This is the fourth contract I've negotiated as PEF president," said Spence. "In addition to across-the-board raises, members will receive a $3,000 signing bonus upon ratification, a Higher Education Differential of $600 starting in 2024 that recognizes the advanced training required to do PEF jobs, and a $400 annual dental stipend while New York solicits bids for a new dental provider."

PEF members work in more than 3,000 different titles in every state agency, including nurses, social workers, doctors, engineers, counselors, parole officers, lawyers, IT specialists, teachers, habilitation specialists, therapists, and many more.