February 6, 2026 — One of the most important functions of any labor union is the ability to negotiate a fair, quality contract. The current Collective Bargaining Agreement for the Professional, Scientific and Technical (PS&T) unit of PEF expires on April 2, 2026. PEF informed the State it was ready to begin bargaining last Fall; however, the State—citing turbulence from federal funding cuts—did not agree to a first meeting until earlier this year. The two sides sat across the table from each other for the first time on Feb. 2.
PEF Vice President Darlene Williams is once again serving as Contract Chair. She said that typical first meetings are introductory, but with an experienced team this time around, the union was able to immediately put its proposals on the table.
“I am so glad to have been able to get our proposals delivered on the first day,” she said. “I really think that it speaks to a good start to our negotiations.”
PEF’s proposals are focused on confronting the affordability crisis in New York State. PEF members are doing more than ever on the job, and they deserve the respect of a wage that keeps pace with the cost of living.
While PEF’s Contract Team consists of 14 people (members plus staff), Chief Negotiator Mark Richard said that he was proud of the team’s ability to carry the voice of 56,000 members on the first day.
“Your concerns, your issues, all of the things you’ve raised to your union were brought forth by an incredible bargaining team,” said Richard. “We put forth a lot of ideas, a lot of concepts, that came from the surveys and worksites. They heard us.”
While Richard stressed that this is only the beginning and that the state’s response to proposals from PEF were not immediately met with substance, this is still an important first step.
Contract Team member Christopher Ford is a Council Leader for Division 357 at the Office of Information Technology Services. He believes that the state knows PEF is serious about getting a fair contract as quickly as possible for the membership and feels emboldened by the first steps taken on February 2.
“Mark is quite correct, the voices of 56,000 members were in this room, and it was seen in the content of the proposals that we passed,” said Ford.
PEF President Wayne Spence was also in the room for the start of negotiations. Richard said that even at this early stage of negotiations, Spence commanded the attention of the state.”
“When President Spence spoke, you could have heard a pin drop,” said Richard. “He delivered with passion and high IQ the message from the very deserving workforce.”
The next bargaining session is scheduled for Feb. 18.