August 7, 2024 — Top state officials, including Gov. Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James, State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, and NYS AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento attended the August 3 inauguration of PEF Statewide Officers, where PEF President Wayne Spence was sworn in for an unprecedented fourth term.
Standing with him and also being sworn in was his leadership team: Secretary-Treasurer Joseph F. Donahue III; Vice Presidents Randi DiAntonio, Bruce Giddings, and Darlene Williams; Trustees Muriel Hardy-Lee, Radhakrishna Mohan, and Kelly Nadeau; and Regional Coordinators Michele Iorfida (R1), Shelby Wisneski (R2), Leisa Abraham (R3), Monica Moore (R4), David Dubofsky (R5), Christopher Dunham (R6), Barbara Stransky (R7), Danielle Bridger (R8), Gabriela Franklyn (R9), Tamara Martin (R10), Bernadette O’Connor (R11), and Corinne Testa (R12).
NYS AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento, who emceed the ceremony, praised the elected leaders for their passion and dedication.
“These are 24-hour, seven-days-a week jobs,” he said. “If they get a phone call at 10 o’clock on a Wednesday night… they have to take that call.”
Cilento highlighted President Spence’s influence in the labor movement.
“He’s a great man; a great leader,” he said. “When Wayne Spence is at a meeting of the state AFL-CIO Executive Board, he has the respect and the attention of everyone who sits around him at that table. Around that table are some of the most powerful labor leaders in this country, but they listen to him.”
Taking time on a Saturday to attend the ceremony in person, Gov. Kathy Hochul called President Spence a “tough negotiator” who gets what he needs for his members and credited PEF and its leaders for making a difference.
“I know the work you do,” she said. “I know how challenging it is and sometimes you wake up and say, ‘Is it really worth it? Am I making a difference?’ I’m here as your governor to tell you a resounding, yes, you are. You have enriched our state. Your members have bettered the lives of thousands, if not millions, of New Yorkers every day. That’s a big deal. It’s not a coincidence that the highest echelons of leadership in New York are here to honor PEF and your leaders.”
Attorney General Letitia James said President Spence and his team have always stood up for what they believe in and have been outspoken on the need to support workers.
“This is why all of the state elected officials are here, simply to take time out of our busy schedule just to simply say thank you,” she said to the assembled leaders. “Thank you for all that you do caring for the people of New York. I believe in the power of people, and I believe in the power of labor unions.”
James also had the honor of swearing in President Spence and the leadership team.
State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli commended PEF members and leaders for their professionalism and dedication to public service.
“You’ve chosen public service as your career,” he said. “You deserve that respect in the workplace, you deserve that dignity in retirement. We need to not take any of that for granted.”
He went on to thank President Spence for his leadership and drive during the pandemic in defense of his members.
“Wayne really is somebody who stands up for his members,” he said. “In the first couple days of the COVID pandemic, he was on the phone. From the very beginning and so many times throughout those very challenging weeks and months, Wayne Spence was always there. He understood the public still needed services, but his members needed to be protected.”
President Spence said he was “humbled and honored in this moment and in this space,” and expressed his gratitude and thanks to many of the assembled for supporting and guiding him along the way.
He credited former PEF President Roger Benson for giving him invaluable assistance and advice when he took the helm, urging him to create a mission and a vision for the future of PEF.
“He said, ‘If you don’t have a mission and you don’t have a vision, how do you know where you are going? How do the people around you know where you’re going?’ So, I established a mission and a vision, which we still have today.”
In closing, President Spence looked to the future and hoped for renewed unity within PEF as the union moves forward together.
“You’ve seen the Regional Coordinators and my members, you’ve seen who they are,” he said. “You’ve seen the diversity of Members’ Voice. I am proud of that diversity. Different ethnic backgrounds, different regions, believe it or not, different political affiliations.
“We are not monolithic in this union,” he said. “We have more in common than in our differences and despite the new era of politics and poli-tricks and the vitriol, this caucus, Members’ Voice, can have conversations and recognize at the end of the day we are here to do the business of the union.”
Some labor leaders were unable to attend but sent along congratulatory messages.
Randi Weingarten, AFT President
“Wayne, you’ve led PEF through many, many battles. You’re delivering real solutions to our members, our families, and our communities. Since becoming PEF president in 2015, you’ve negotiated contracts with the state of New York, which is no easy feat. Across-the-board wage increases, no givebacks, and now, parental leave. These wins are really hard-fought.”
Sen. Robert Jackson, former PEF member and staff
“When I looked at your resume, you were a shop steward, you were an Executive Board member, you were a Division Council Leader, you’ve been on Health and Safety – you’ve done so many things within your union to gain the type of experience that you have. Please keep up the good work.”
April Verrett, SEIU International President
“Four terms since 2015, your leadership has been transformative for workers and workplaces through this great state of New York. Securing worker raises across the board for every member in your union, locking in stronger benefits, and negotiating contracts with no givebacks. That’s the kind of grind we can all appreciate and benefit from. Thank you.”
Andrea Stewart-Cousins, New York State Senate Majority Leader
“During his time as a parole officer, he was very active in PEF, giving him a vital firsthand understanding of the organization’s mission and agenda. Thank you so much, Wayne, for your dedication to public service, leadership and friendship, and congratulations once again on your groundbreaking accomplishment.”