New York State Contract Negotiations Affecting Archaeologists Continue

The Associated Press reports this afternoon that Governor Andrew Cuomo has indicated that he would consider a shorter, 3-year contract with the Public Employees Federation (PEF), allowing PEF to renegotiate the contract earlier, and potentially at a time when the state’s economy will have improved. The contract that PEF membership has rejected was for five years. Gov. Cuomo is still looking for savings in this offer, but is seeking, along with PEF leadership, to avert the layoff of some 3,500 PEF members. While negotiations continue, the State Archaeologist and two archaeology curator positions at the New York State Museum remain in jeopardy.