October 29, 2025 — The 47th annual PEF Convention kicked off October 20 on the 1932 ice rink at the Olympic Center in Lake Placid, bringing together nearly 700 delegates from various agencies all across the state to consider a constitutional amendment, legislative agendas, and 38 different resolutions.
“It’s my honor and privilege to stand before you, the heart, the voice, and the driving force of our union,” said Convention Chair and Vice President Darlene Williams. “This year’s theme is Stronger Roots, Bolder Future – where we are going depends on where we come from. PEF was founded in 1979 and built by people who refused to settle for less, believed the voices of the public employee mattered, and paved the way with passion, courage and persistence.
“I hope the delegates in this room have that passion, have that courage, and have the persistence to stand up for what is right,” she said. “They faced tough fights, long nights, and sometimes impossible odds and yet they stood their ground and because of that, we stand here today.”
VP Williams said in a divided world, it is more important than ever to stand together.
“When it comes to standing up for safe workplaces and fair wages, we don’t wear red or blue, we wear PEF,” she said. “Let’s celebrate how far we’ve come and recommit ourselves to shaping the path ahead. This is our moment.”
A stable fiscal position
PEF is in “the best financial position in the history of the union,” reported Secretary-Treasurer Joe Donahue to the delegates. “I am proud of all the hard work that we have put in to make this union larger, stronger, as well as more relevant. We have led by example and other unions look to us. I can report to you PEF is in very good financial shape, and I intend to keep it there.”
PEF received an unmodified opinion it its audit by the Bonadio Group, the best opinion that can be given. (The full audit was published in the September 2025 Communicator, page 36.)
“Current assets of the union stand at over $32.2 million, an increase in almost $3.7 million from the prior year,” Donahue said. “This increase is due to the change in net assets from operations of $1.31 million as well as investment gains of $659,000.”
Current liabilities increased approximately $750,000, mainly due to the timing of invoices after year-end. Total liabilities increased by approximately $2.15 million due to significant increases in post-retirement liability, higher than anticipated medical claims in 2024, and an increase in the active number of participants in PEF’s medical plan.
Membership is up, Donahue reported, with dues revenue exceeding $44 million, coming in at approximately $44.4 million for fiscal year 2024-25, an increase of approximately $3.6 million.
“This significant increase is due to membership going from 51,673 at the end of 2024 to 54,277 at the end of 2025, an increase of 2,604 members throughout the year as well as the 3% contract raise in April 2024,” the Secretary-Treasurer said. “Total revenue grew by approximately $4.08 million to $47.7 million while total expenditures increased by approximately $3.68 million to $45.9 million, a change in net assets from operations of a positive $1.31 million.
“Of course, our costs are increasing, but so are our efforts to recruit and retain members,” he said. “Due to these uncertain times at the federal level, we need to be prepared for anything that negatively impacts our membership. Just like when the Janus decision was handed down, we need to plan for the worst yet hope for the best.”
PEF’s three trustees, Muriel Hardy-Lee, Kelly Nadeau, and Radhakrishna Mohan, also presented their report to delegates, noting that PEF is “financially stable and secure” and there were no findings of fraud, waste, or abuse in audits of officers, Regions, or Divisions.
Legislative agendas
PEF Vice President and Statewide Political Action Committee Chair Randi DiAntonio presented the state and federal legislative agendas and chaired the debate and adoption of both.
“Right now, federal funding is under siege, and the consequences are already hitting home for the New York State workforce,” DiAntonio said. “We depend on those federal dollars. Over one-third of our state’s budget, $93 billion, is tied to federal sources. When Washington cuts, New York feels it deeply. This is an all-hands-on-deck moment. Every day, every bill passed or blocked, every budget shift – it affects our ability to serve, to live in this state, to support our families.”
The approved Federal and State Legislative Agendas will be added to the PEF website as soon as the amendments approved by Convention delegates are incorporated.
Convention charity fundraiser breaks record
Every year, the host Region selects a local charity and organizes a fundraiser. This year, delegates shattered expectations and donated $12,117.69 to Region 7’s chosen charity, the Gouverneur Breast and Ovarian Cancer Fund.
“I am beyond speechless,” said Region 7 Coordinator Barbara Stransky. “This is a record for a PEF Convention.”
Every penny donated to the Gouverneur Breast and Ovarian Cancer Fund goes to help someone who is facing the long road from diagnosis to recovery in St. Lawrence, Jefferson, Lewis, and Franklin counties. All donations provide direct financial support to someone who needs help during this challenging time.
“This is by far the largest the Convention has ever raised,” said President Spence. “Thank you for blowing it out of the water in terms of what was raised.”
Constitutional amendment and resolutions
Delegates voted to amend the PEF Constitution to deem the New York State Office of Information Technology Services as a separate Department for the purpose of representation under Article VII, which governs the Executive Board. The change “calls out the agency and helps create an identity,” proponents said.
Of the 38 resolutions presented to Convention delegates, 12 made it to the floor for debate and consideration by the body. Prior to the start of plenary sessions, delegates met to discuss the resolutions, recommend action, and prioritize the order in which they were considered.
Adopted as printed or as amended included:
Resolution 5: On establishing a comprehensive council leader training and certification program;
Resolution 7: On fighting back against federal budget cuts;
Resolution 8: On fixing Tier 6 and improving retirement equity;
Resolution 9: On addressing workplace violence;
Resolution 13: On encouraging and promoting management participation in labor/management;
Resolution 20: Dealing with addressing extra vacation pay disparity;
Resolution 26: On reimagining the PS&T evaluation and examination system for talent acquisition and retention;
Resolution 27: On amending the Leave Donation Program/Exchange Program.
Resolution 33, on accurate and explicit financial reporting, was tabled, as this information is already provided to the Executive Board quarterly. Resolution 15, which called for creation of a statewide director of health care services on the PEF staff, was heavily debated and delegates voted to recommend the President form a committee to discuss the proposal. Resolution 1, which dealt with fighting racism at the Department of Labor, was referred to the agency’s labor/management committee. Resolution 31, asking for full mileage reimbursement for Convention delegates who don’t carpool, failed.