New York Governor Spitzer Announces Tentative Labor Agreement With PEF

Fiscally Responsible Four-Year Package Benefits Workers and the State

February 5, 2008 -- New York Governor Eliot Spitzer today announced the State and the Public Employees Federation (PEF) have reached a tentative four-year agreement covering more than 50,000 Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (PS&T) employees. The agreement must be ratified by the union membership.

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“This contract demonstrates our commitment to the state’s hard-working professional employees and it also safeguards the interests of taxpayers," Governor Spitzer said. "This is a fair and fiscally responsible agreement. I am gratified that the many hours at the bargaining table have resulted in a fair contract for the hard working employees PEF represents.”

The previous collective bargaining agreement with PEF expired on April 1, 2007. This four-year package covers the period beginning April 2, 2007 through April 1, 2011 and contains the following major elements:

- A 3 percent salary increase retroactive to April 2, 2007, payable upon ratification of the agreement by union members. Subsequent salary increases will be provided yearly, as follows:

-A 3 percent salary increase effective April 1, 2008;
-A 3 percent salary increase effective April 1, 2009; and,
-A 4 percent salary increase effective April 1, 2010.

- Location pay will increase for employees in Orange, Putnam, and Dutchess counties, increasing from $651 to $1,000 as of April 1, 2008, and from $1,000 to $1,513 as of October 1, 2008;

- Employees in Nassau, Rockland, Suffolk, and Westchester counties, and in New York City will also see an increase in their location pay from $1,302 to $1,850 as of April 1, 2008, and from $1,850 to $3,026 as of October 1, 2008, to help offset the higher cost of living in those areas;

- Statewide availability of a Pre-Tax Transit Program that reduces employee commuting costs and promotes a cleaner environment;

- Continued support for Meal Allowances, Labor Management Committees, and Inconvenience Pay;

- Continued support for Special Assignment to Duty Pay and Hazardous Duty Pay;

- Increase in job rate on salary schedule effective on April 1, 2010, the final year of the agreement; and,

- To assist in making the overall agreement more affordable, modest increases in co-pays for health care will be implemented, and a joint labor-management committee will explore the potential for new economies and efficiencies in the area of dental and vision benefits.

Source: New York Governor