Statement of PEF President Kenneth Brynien regarding Gov. Cuomo's comments on negotiations

ALBANY, NY (07/08/2011)(readMedia)-- This morning on Talk 1300 AM radio, Gov. Andrew Cuomo characterized the state's current contract offer to the New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) as the same as the tentative agreement the state negotiated with the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA). That's not correct. The governor must have been misinformed about the offer made to PEF.

While some progress has been made in negotiations over the past week, the latest proposal PEF received from the state (delivered to the union Thursday, July 7) differs significantly from the tentative agreement with CSEA in several key areas, especially regarding health benefits. It's disappointing to see the state continuing to use the threat of layoffs to hold hostage our members, their families and the state services on which New Yorkers rely. During the past 10 days of negotiations, hundreds of our members have received layoff notices; this, even though we already have offered proposals that would provide the budgetary savings the state needs to avoid layoffs.

We will continue to work toward an agreement that balances the needs of the state and provides a fair contract for our members.

As I have said before, we are willing to do our fair share and sacrifice during the state's fiscal crisis, but we will not be sacrificed.

The union remains committed to reaching a fair agreement that balances the needs of the state and the needs of our members.

PEF represents approximately 55,000 professional, scientific and technical employees of New York State and other public and private employers. PEF is the New York's second-largest state-employee union.