Political Action
For the 2008 PEF State Legislative Agenda, click here:
http://www.pef.org/pac/files/stateagenda2008.pdf
FOR PEF's OTHER ADVOCACY CAMPAIGNS
Click Here for more information
Elected Officials
Don't know who your elected officials are?
Click link below;
Go to the tan menu on left;
Click on "Who are my elected officials?" Use your zip code.
Who are my Elected Officials?
PEF 2007 Contract Negotiations
CONTRACT '07 NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE #35 (2-5-08)
PEF & NY State Negotiators Reach Tentative Contract Agreement
The New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) - the state's second-largest public-employee union - today announced it has reached a tentative agreement with the state on a new contract that includes enhancements in nearly all contract areas.
The tentative four-year pact would cover more than 58,000 PEF members in the professional, scientific and technical (PS&T) unit of the state workforce. The agreement, reached in nine months, includes four across-the-board raises during the term of the agreement, cost-of-living adjustments for members who live in high-cost areas of the state, and no significant changes to health insurance coverage.
The agreement would not increase the employees' share of the cost of health insurance premiums, and entails only modest increases in their co-pays.
"This contract is fair and meets the needs of our members," said PEF President Ken Brynien. "It provides annual raises, maintains strong health benefits and addresses location pay. I applaud the efforts of our negotiators and the governor. The bargaining balances the interests of the state workforce and New York taxpayers."
The previous collective-bargaining agreement with the state expired April 1, 2007. The new package covers the period beginning April 2, 2007 through April 1, 2011 and includes the following major elements:
3 percent salary increase retroactive to April 2, 2007;
3 percent salary increase effective April 1, 2008;
3 percent salary increase effective April 1, 2009; and,
4 percent salary increase effective April 1, 2010.
The agreement also features improvements to salaries including:
A realignment of the salary schedule in April 2010 which raises the top of grade pay for employees in state grades 19-25 to levels paid other units;
An additional $1,000 increase in April 2010 in the job rate of employees in grades 26 through 37;
Significant improvements to downstate and mid-Hudson salary adjustments to reflect cost-of-living.
The current downstate adjustment of $1,302 will increase to $1,850 on April 1, 2008 and to $3,026 on October 1, 2008. The Mid-Hudson adjustment, currently $651 will increase to $1,000 on April 1, 2008 and to $1,513 on October 1, 2008.
The state has also agreed to enhancements to the current vision plan benefit, as well as $600,000 to study the creation of a state fund as a means to provide improved dental and vision benefits while also resulting in a savings for the state. The agreement also continues language to allow conversion to the fund during the term of the contract.
The tentative pact must still be approved by the union's Executive Board, which is holding a special meeting on February 20, 2008 and be ratified by the membership. After the Executive Board approves the agreement, ballots will be mailed to PEF members. Union leaders expect the entire ratification process will be completed in about two months.
PEF's state contract negotiating team consists of 22 members from across the state, supported by the union's professional staff negotiators.
Please remember to vote on the contract. Ballots are due back on April 10th, 2008 and the ballots will be counted on April 11th, 2008.
MORE DETAILS WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THE PEF WEBSITE (www.PEF.org) on FRIDAY AT 5PM.
Are You An Active PEF Member?
Be prepared to vote to ratify PEFs new Contract.
Remember, fee payers cannot vote to ratify the Contract.
Become an active PEF member TODAY!!
Ask your PEF steward for a membership card.
For more information about membership benefits . . . . Click here
Division News
Division Leaders are welcome to submit newsletters, announcements of events, and other Division news to "The Downstater". Submissions can be made to Jemma Marie Hanson, Pat McShane or Wendy Phillips at the email addresses provided below. Submissions will be edited for space, fairness and good taste. Submissions must be approved by Jemma Marie Hanson before publication. Writer or person submitting material must identify him/her self, division number and position.
Division #214 - DOT NYC - Council Leader, Eric L. Foster, P.E.
Division #198 - SUNY DOWNSTATE- Council Leader, Don Morgenstern
Important Immigration News!
Free Immigration Services are being offered by NYC Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, in collaboration with The City of New York and its Citizen and Immigration Project.
Services to be provided include assistance with:
- Naturalization
- Relative Petitions
- Adjustment of Status
Additional services being offered include:
- Consultations
- Representation in Removal Proceedings
- Free pictures for applicants who need them
Click below to read more
Nurses' Corner
TELL YOUR STATE SENATOR: End Mandatory Overtime for Nurses by Passing S6342!
The New York State Assembly has passed legislation (A1898-A\Gunther) to prohibit the use of mandatory overtime (MOT) for nurses with the exception of certain emergency situations. This bill passed the Assembly in 2007, but has not yet passed in the Senate. We need the Assembly to re-pass the bill in 2008 and for the Senate to pass it too.
Mandatory overtime, instead of serving as the absolute last resort for emergency situations, has become a convenient tool for hospital management in nurse staffing. Unfortunately, poor working conditions like this have caused all too many nurses to leave their profession. This has been a significant factor in the nursing shortage that has hit the health care industry. Aside from the effect it has on nurses and their families, mandatory overtime endangers the delivery of quality health care by driving up the risk of medical error. Nurses and patients alike can simply not afford the costs of mandatory overtime.
Eleven other states have taken action through legislation or regulation to end mandatory overtime, and now it is New York's turn. Ask your legislator to contact his or her leader to ask that this bill be brought to a vote.
For more information on MOT, click here:
http://www.pef.org/pac/files/stateagenda2008.pdf
For information on all PEF Nursing bills, click here:
http://www.pef.org/pac/bills/bills_pef_nursing_2007.htm
EDUCATION
Classes at CUNY
A series of courses specifically geared to union leaders and activists who want to increase their knowledge about contemporary politics and taught by leading political practitioners is being offered by The Murphy Institute for Worker Education and Labor Studies - CUNY School of Professional Studies. Click here for more information about these courses: LaborStudiesProgramCoursesSpring2008.eml
HOW ARE YOU MANAGING?
Do you have the managerial skills necessary to advance in your career?
Cornell University ILR School offers a certificate in Management Development.
For a list of the Management Development Workshops click here
IMPROVE YOUR WORK PLACE SKILLS
Cornell University - Industrial Labor Relations School offers courses geared to
improve your workplace skills. Click here for more information: Cornell ILR School
Region 11 Schedule of Events
May, 2008
8th - Legislative Reception - Brooklyn Office, Postponed
15th - Legislative Reception - Staten Island
JUNE, 2008
4th- PAC/Steward Meeting- Brooklyn office
21st- Region 11 Distingished Mens Day Brunch- Brooklyn Office
24th- Stewards Training- Brooklyn Office
July, 2008
24th- Steward Meeting- Brooklyn office
August, 2008
8th- Family Day At Shea- Mets and Marlins - Tickets are limited.
RSVP with Dawn for all Meetings and Trainings
Brooklyn Office (718) 637-2019 Ext. "0"
Meals will be served at Brooklyn meetings and trainings
All stewards must use their own time for all Steward Trainings
Tango Lessons
DISCOVER THE PASSION OF TANGO
We are planning additional tango dance lessons which will be held at the PEF Region 11 office in Brooklyn.
Stay tuned . . .
Noche de los Salgueros tm
Mobilization
Get linked to our sites.
http://www.pef.org/mobilization/index.htm
http://www.thecommunicator.org/mobilzerdept/tools.htm
Blair Burroughs email: bburroughs@pef.org
The Downstater's Statement of Purpose
Organized labor: The folks who gave you the weekend and the 8 hour work day!!