April 3, 2024 — Members have started reaching out asking, “Where’s the money?” We’re happy to share that PEF members in the PS&T bargaining unit have seen or will see quite a few bumps in their paychecks in the next few months negotiated as part of the 2023-2026 PS&T Contract.
$400 Dental Stipend: During contract negotiations last year, PEF convinced the state to enter into an agreement that will cost more than $20 million a year until they replace EmblemHealth as the NYSHIP dental services provider. That translates to $400 per PEF member in the PS&T unit annually. The first payment was for 2023 and was paid last month (March 2024). PEF will advise members if there will be a 2024 stipend given the State signed a new dental services contract with Anthem Blue Cross in late March 2024 that will go into effect on Sept. 1, 2024.
$600 Higher Education Differential: This is a first-of-its-kind benefit the union negotiated to recognize the professional nature of the jobs PEF members perform. To receive it, members must hold a qualifying degree (Associate’s or higher) or a professional license issued by the State Education Department. The degree or license does not have to be a job requirement or related to the position’s duties. The payment is not automatic, members must submit proof. Your agency’s human resource office will provide details on how to submit such proof, but we estimate that the vast majority of PEF members will qualify. The Higher Ed Differential will be paid for the second two years of the 2023-2026 contract, $600 each year. Proof was initially due to agencies by March 29, but the deadline has now been extended to May 3, 2024. Members who met the March 29 deadline will still see the $600 payment in their checks on April 24 or May 2.
2024 Raise: All PS&T members received a 3% increase to their base salary, effective March 28, 2024, for those on the Administration payroll and April 4, 2024, for the Institution payroll.
Performance Awards: Those eligible will see these payments this month (April 2024). Performance awards for 2024 are either $1,500, $3,000 or $4,500 depending on whether the employee is at 5, 10 or 15 years at top of grade. In April 2025, changes will go into effect basing performance awards on total years of continuous state service, rather than years at top of grade. After that date, years of service in other units, like CSEA, will be counted. Members on the Institution Payroll will receive their performance award on April 18, 2024. Those on the Administration Payroll will be paid April 24, 2024.
Location Pay: The contract increases the Downstate location pay adjustment to $3,400 effective April 1, 2024 (up from $3,087 in April 2023) and the Mid-Hudson location pay adjustment to $1,650 (up from $1,543). Additional increases to $4,000 for Downstate and $2,000 for Mid-Hudson will occur in April 2025.
Hazardous Duty Pay: For titles receiving hazardous duty pay, the pay rate increased to $1 per hour effective April 2, 2024, up from 90 cents per hour in April 2023.