November 25, 2024 — During this annual time of thanks, we reflect on the value of union membership and bring you 10 things your union accomplished for you, or with you, in the last year, as well as some things PEF members can look forward to in 2025.
Contractual raises, performance awards, the Higher Education Differential, and Location Pay increases. These are just some of the benefits your contract team negotiated into your collective bargaining agreement that will be paid out in 2025.
Dependent Care Advantage Accounts, where the state contributes between $600 and $1,100 annually for eligible child care, elder care, or disabled dependent care, as well as Health Care Spending Accounts – helping your family support your loved ones. 
Field representatives went to bat against agencies that mishandle Section 72 cases, seeking and winning back pay for members. PEF also fought for changes to laws governing these cases. (You can still send letters to support those changes!) 
The union entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the state to allow for an Expedited Suspension Review process, which has helped more than 100 members suspended during disciplinary cases get back on the payroll. 
Union staff appealed unsatisfactory year-end performance evaluation ratings when the process was not adhered to properly, often successfully overturning the rating and sometimes securing additional pay for members who would otherwise lose out on performance advances. 
PEF leaders testified at several joint legislative hearings to present solutions to workforce issues such as staffing shortages. 
After improperly prorated contract signing bonuses were brought to the attention of the PEF Contract Administration department, a class-action grievance filed by the union against the State Education Department made whole hourly employees who had not received their full payments. 
The union stood behind members and their communities, participating in rallies, such as the ones to Save SUNY Downstate, speaking out against bullying at Kingsboro Psychiatric Center, and advocating to Fix Tier 6.
PEF headquarters, Regional Offices, and Divisions provided scholarship opportunities to members and their families, helping defray the costs of higher education. In addition, the PEF Membership Benefits Program continued to offer Family Fun Days, the second annual Community Wellness Fair and Book Giveaway, and so many more valuable savings and perks! 
Union leaders build political strength and join together with other unions to put PEF’s priorities front and center during budget negotiations and legislative sessions, achieving several goals of the Fund Our Future campaign and bringing member expertise to bear at the PEF Summit on AI, as well as Nurse and Social Worker lobby days.