October 29, 2025 — The annual Nurses’ Luncheon at the PEF convention delivers important information to delegates who work as nurses and healthcare workers across the state. It is an opportunity for nurses across agencies to share their issues and communicate with PEF leaders and staff where they need the most assistance.
At a time when nurses have seen record high numbers of assaults and where unsafe work conditions are on the rise, Amy Lee Pacholk, a Registered Nurse in the Teaching and Research Civil Service title who works at University Hospital at SUNY Stony Brook and is co-chair of the PEF Statewide Nurses Committee, reminded the nurses in attendance that there are a few initiatives that need their support.
“We need to have somebody sitting at the table. I know you have all heard the statement that if you are not sitting at the table, then you do not get to make the decisions,” said Pacholk. “What we have found over and over again is that healthcare, at large, is not being advocated for in PEF the way that we need it to be advocated for.”
More than 20 percent of PEF members are nurses or hold a healthcare title of some kind. They work at SUNY facilities, OTDA, OPWDD, DOCCS, DOH and multiple other agencies.
“The truth is, if you work for a healthcare agency, you know that our needs are not met by the contract alone,” said Pacholk. “We generally can’t use our cancer screening time as nurses if we work the evening or night shift as doctors’ offices and imaging centers are not open at that time. Civil Service law states that one can only use that benefit while working, so the Civil Service law needs to change to accommodate our members who work evening and night shift members.
Pacholk told the nurses that with all the moving parts associated with the needs of nurses and healthcare workers, the nursing delegates in the room needed to support Convention Resolution 15.
Resolution 15 was considered by the full delegation on Oct. 21 and 22 and it was recommended that PEF President Spence refer it to a committee for further consideration. It would create a new director-level position at PEF called the Director of Nursing and Healthcare. The director would oversee the Nurse Coordinator and be a liaison between other union departments like Organizing and Field Services, to help lead advocacy campaigns focused on nurses and healthcare members.
Pacholk also took time to honor Nora Higgins, who is retiring as Nurse Coordinator.
“Nora Higgins is a special person,” said Pacholk. “Thank you, Nora, for your service as a nurse, an educator, a PEF steward of Division 225, a delegate to the Long Island Federation of Labor, a member of the Professional Nursing Association of Suffolk County, the PEF Region 12 Coordinator, PEF SUNY Labor Management Chair, PEF Statewide Nursing Chair, the PEF Nurse Coordinator and a constant advocate.”
Pacholk thanked Higgins for sharing her institutional knowledge with fellow nurses over the years, as well as her leadership and dedication.
Pacholk then welcomed attorney Alex Dell to discuss Workers’ Compensation benefits. Pacholk said that nurses and healthcare workers are likely not fully taking advantage of their robust workers’ compensation benefits.
“I have had multiple nurses call me after getting injured or assaulted on the job and ask about next steps,” she said. “And while I thanked them for calling me, I do ask why they do not use their workers’ compensation benefits. Most time, they do not know they have the option.”
During his presentation, Dell briefly covered the benefits available to PEF members, including nurses, but focused on the updated Workers’ Compensation Law in New York, including the changes to mental health coverage.
“Prior to June 4, 2025, if you alleged that you had a mental health condition from your employment, either from a singular event or over time due to the nature of your work, you would be denied a claim because it would not be considered beyond normal and ordinary for your work,” said Dell. “They would deny the claim and say, ‘you signed up for this’. Well, June 4, 2025, has changed the landscape for the better.”
PEF advocated strongly for the change, and now acute, major depressive, and post-traumatic stress disorders are all covered and compensable under the Workers’ Compensation law.