Labor Day has come and gone, the kids are back in school, and even the leaves are starting to change. While all those things contribute to a sense of normalcy this time of year, things are far from normal when it comes to the labor movement in this country. The current administration is doing everything in their power to weaken workers’ rights – from drastic federal funding cuts that will impact State budgets in a variety of ways, to union-busting on the federal level, to anti-union appointments on the National Labor Relations Board.
Our response must be to stay Union Strong and demonstrate a united front to fight back against policies that strip away the hard-fought workers’ rights and protections we’ve earned over the years. That’s why I was so glad to see such an amazing turnout across the State at Labor Day parades and picnics. I marched on Sept. 6 in the annual New York City Central Labor Council Parade with about 200 PEF members and tens of thousands of our union siblings. It’s that kind of solidarity and energy that will help us through these difficult times.
Our top priority through the end of the year and in early 2026 will be at the bargaining table, where the Contract Team will begin negotiating with the State for a successor contract. The current CBA for our Professional, Scientific and Technical unit expires April 2, 2026. As you’ll read in this issue, we have successfully negotiated the elimination of various sunset provisions to protect hard-won contractual gains. But as the team continues to train for the upcoming negotiation, they need your support. Please take our Contract Survey if you have not already. This union’s mission is to represent you when it comes to the terms and conditions of your employment, so tell us what you value and what you want us to fight for.
Elsewhere in this issue you’ll find some amazing stories of the work PEF members do – from inspecting bee colonies all across the State, to distributing arts and cultural grants, to fighting wildfires wherever they ignite. I’ve said it a thousand times, but I mean it every time – I’m proud to be the union president of such a dedicated, diverse, and professional workforce.