PEF members ratify five-year contract 88 percent: raises for 60,000 state professionals through April 2031

The Public Employees Federation ratified a five-year agreement with the state on Aug 18, approved by 88 percent of members casting ballots. It covers roughly 60,000 professional, scientific and technical employees (PEF says 62,000), runs through April 1, 2031, and includes raises of 4.5, 4, 3.5, 3 and 3 percent, higher location pay, 20 hours of paid pre-natal leave, a higher sick-leave accrual cap, and health-insurance changes eliminating some co-pays. Third major state contract ratified in three weeks, after UUP on Jul 31 and CSEA on Aug 7.