The NY State Public Employees Federation (PEF) members overwhelmingly ratify contract with state.

ALBANY, NY — In a landslide vote of 34,758 to 1,214 –a 96.63 percent approval rating –members of the New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) today approved a four-year contract with the state. It was the highest number of votes ever cast for a new contract.

The highlights of the agreement include a 3 percent salary increase retroactive to April 2, 2007, and a 3 percent raise retroactive to April 1, 2008. It also includes another 3 percent salary increase effective April 1, 2009 and a 4 percent raise effective April 1, 2010.

The votes were counted by the American Arbitration Association in New York City this afternoon where it was ratified overwhelmingly in every region of the state by between 93 and 98 percent. Nearly two-thirds of the members voted.

“This contract was extremely popular with our members as exemplified by the vote,” said PEF President Ken Brynien. “The contract addresses the needs of our members today and in the future. The state clearly recognizes the value of public employees and the services they provide.”

The new pact includes a health insurance package with additional benefits and modest co-pay increases, extension of educational programs, and cost-of-living increases for members who live in high-cost areas of the state.

The agreement was reached in nine months, as compared to the 19-month bargaining stretch it took to negotiate the previous agreement.

PEF is the state’s second-largest state-employee union, representing 58,000 professional, scientific and technical employees.