PEF contract passes 27,718 to 11,645

Those 3,496 Public Employee Federation members who were targeted for layoff if union members voted down their contract can breathe a sigh of relief — the union has approved a four-year labor agreement by a monster 27,718 to 11,645 margin.

Approval of the deal brings to a close the drama that has dragged on since last spring when negotiations were raging and when the possibility that union members would have to fired if the Cuomo Administration didn’t get enough savings from labor givebacks.

While union members won’t get raises for the next three years, they will get 2 percent in the fourth year of the deal, which is a year shorter than the similar contract that the larger 66,000-member Civil Service Employees Association approved during the summer.

Like their CSEA counterparts, PEF members will see their health insurance costs rise and they will have nine furlough days. Those days, however, will be paid back later in the contract which supporters say was like a free vacation.

The main focus for now, though are protections against layoffs in the contract. Critics say they are weak and even Cuomo said there is no ironclad assurances against cuts but the contract protects against layoffs related to the current state budget situation.

That wouldn’t include reductions that result from an ongoing government reorganization although union officials note much of those would have to pass through the Legislature, which tends to be union-friendly. Nor would it protect against unforeseen events, such as, perhaps, an economic meltdown stemming from the collapse of the Euro.

Here’s the press release from PEF:

By a count of 27,718 to 11,645, members of the New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) ratified a revised four-year agreement with the state that averts significant layoffs.

The ratification of the new agreement saves the jobs of 3,496 PEF members and preserves the vital services our members provide.
The agreement preserves the pay-scale, the employment and the careers of PEF members. It maintains increments and salary-grade parity,
longevity payments and co-pays for doctor visits at their current levels. It calls for no salary increases for years 2011, 2012 and 2013. A salary increase of 2 percent is included for 2014.

The new contract increases the share members will pay of their health insurance premiums, but includes changes to the productivity enhancement program which will allow members greater opportunity to use vacation time to offset health insurance costs. The new contract includes reimbursement for the 9 furlough days payable at the end of the agreement.

“More than 75 percent of our membership voted on the agreement,” said PEF President Ken Brynien.

“Although this was a difficult decision for our members, it demonstrates they are willing to do their part to put New York state on a stable financial footing, as all New Yorkers should, and are helping to resolve a fiscal crisis for which they were not responsible.

“This agreement preserves our members’ jobs and the services they provide. During this economic downturn, the state’s citizens are more dependent on these vital services than ever, in the wake of the flooding earlier this year.

“We are certain the governor understands the sacrifice our members have agreed to accept, and recognizes the value PEF members and other public employees provide to the citizens of the state.

“We now call on the governor as part of his efforts to increase the efficiency of state government, to direct his attention to areas where PEF has highlighted cost savings. These areas include the elimination of wasteful contracting out and reducing the state’s excessive authorities, commissions and public benefit corporations that make up the state’s shadow government,” Brynien said.

Here is a comparison of the old and new deals:

Side by Side

Rick Karlin