Governor Hochul Announces Labor Agreements with PEF and UUP Representing More Than 88,000 Employees

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that her administration has reached contract agreements with the New York State Public Employees Federation and with the United University Professions. The agreement with PEF is for a three-year term running until April 1, 2026 for more than 51,000 New York State employees in a in a wide variety of professional, scientific and technical titles. The agreement with UUP is for a four-year term running until July 1, 2026 for more than 37,000 SUNY system faculty and professional employees. Both agreements are subject to ratification by union membership.

"These agreements with PEF and UUP represent major wins for the hardworking employees of New York State," Governor Hochul said. "Through these agreements, my administration is standing by its commitment to investing in New York's public workforce and continuing to work hand-in-hand with our brothers and sisters in labor. I applaud the unions' leadership for helping to bring these deals to fruition and for their partnership in ensuring that New York workers' pay and benefits reflect their important contributions to our state."

Public Employees Federation President Wayne Spence said, "Governor Hochul promised to invest in the public workforce, and we believe this contract reflects that vow. She has long valued the services PEF members provide to New Yorkers in good times and bad. And with this contract, she recognizes the urgent need to attract State employees in every job title with competitive wages and solid benefits. Combined with the initiatives established in this year's budget, this contract will go a long way toward recruiting and retaining the skilled professionals New York needs."

United University Professions President Frederick E. Kowal, Ph.D. said, "This is an historic agreement that builds upon the gains achieved in our last contract, all while addressing many of our members' current concerns. It is a fair and equitable agreement with reasonable salary increases, minimum salary gains for part-time contingent faculty and other enhancements important to our members. I would like to thank Gov. Kathy Hochul for working with UUP to find common ground on this tentative agreement, and I look forward to joining her in working to build up SUNY after too many years of neglect. This tentative agreement enhances UUP members' professional lives, and that is good news for our students, patients and campus communities."

SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. said, "SUNY's world-class education is only possible because of the talented and knowledgeable faculty and dedicated and professional staff who drive our campuses forward. During my visits this semester to all of our campuses, students time and time again praised faculty and staff for their wisdom in teaching, their skill and guidance in helping them through a tough class or a life event, and for regularly checking in to make sure they were okay. Similarly, faculty, nurses, and staff at our SUNY medical centers provide essential care to patients. I am pleased our UUP and PEF members have a fair and equitable agreement."

Both contract agreements include increases in salary for employees in each year of the agreement, consistent with other negotiated agreements. The agreements also include increases in location pay and changes with health benefits consistent with other recently settled contract agreements.

The contract must now be approved by the union Executive Boards and ratified by union membership.