Statement of PEF President Ken Brynien on Council 82 contract vote

ALBANY, NY (05/10/2011)(readMedia)-- The New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) continues to negotiate with the state in an effort to reach a fair contract for our members. Today's vote by members of Council 82 to reject its tentative contract agreement with the state speaks for itself.

It is unfair to ask any employee, public or private-sector, to absorb a long-term wage freeze while making permanent cost shifts in benefits to address what is a short-term problem. The members of Council 82 and the ALES unit have said as much in their vote.

PEF has offered the state solutions that will meet the short-term fiscal need identified in the state budget. We are willing to do our part to help the state during this fiscal crisis, but any agreement must be fair. We are willing to accept short-term sacrifice, but not the long-term hardship the state is seeking.

PEF is the state's second-largest state-employee union, representing 56,000 professional, scientific and technical employees.

###