After a long and arduous bargaining process that began in December 2011, members of the Lottery ratified the state contract. In the first vote, members rejected the contract by 195-143.

President Boccardy sent a letter to management and demanded that contract be implemented. He also offered to assist members in a campaign to accomplish this. Management then increased their contributions from their original offer. The Bargaining Committee voted to re-open negotiations.

The committee requested that President Boccardy send Kevin Preston, the state's chief negotiator, for an information session to answer questions about the contract. Mr. Preston held a meeting with members and clarified concerns of the members. The Committee then voted to schedule a new vote based on the clarifications and new offer from management. The vote was taken at the SEIU 888 office and the contract was ratified by 228-yes to 39-no, with unmarked ballots-53, retired members-4 and spoiled ballots-2.

Finally, on Wednesday, February 23rd, President Boccardy certified the vote and wrote a letter to management demanding that the contract be implemented.

Thanks to the bargaining team: David O'Reilly, Jim Rodick, John Conway, George O'Toole, Jim Harrington, Eilleen Meade, Tom Jakus and Joe Macinnis.