Union Contract Approved, Saving 3,496 Jobs

NEW YORK—The state’s second largest state-employee union averted 3,496 layoffs on Thursday with the ratification of a revised contract.

More than 75 percent of the members of the New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF), voted in favor of a contract that includes a four-year salary freeze. The next pay raise will be for 2 percent in 2014. A tentative version of the contract was rejected by PEF earlier this fall.

"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," Ken Brynien, PEF president, said in a press release.

PEF is now calling on Gov. Cuomo to increase state government efficiency. “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.