The union's rank - and - file last year initially voted down
a labor agreement forged between PEF's leadership and the administration, leading Cuomo to threaten mass layoffs of state workers unless a second, revenue - neutral contract was approved.
Last week, the Department of Education announced plans for a «national education reform conference on
labor - management collaboration» to be held early next year, where they plan to «highlight examples of progressive collective bargaining
agreements across the country and promote opportunities for management and
labor to
forge reforms at the state and district level.»