September 15, 2026 — PEF President Wayne Spence was highlighted along with 99 other labor leaders as part of City & State magazine’s Labor Power 100 list. The list highlights union leaders who are on the frontlines of fighting for workers’ rights.
President Spence made the list at No.14.
“New York State Public Employees Federation members this summer ratified a new five-year collective bargaining agreement, with annual raises, improved dental and vision benefits and other perks,” reads the magazine’s write-up. “On the legislative front, PEF’s Wayne Spence touted pension equity for Tier 6 state employees as a major victory. Spence, who represents 55,000 state employees with a wide range of titles, also praised Gov. Kathy Hochul’s affordability agenda this year, stating that her stewardship of the state’s finances has positioned New York to weather cuts from the Trump administration.”
Other New York labor leaders honored by City & State include NYS AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento, Transport Workers Union International President John Samuelsen, CSEA President Mary Sullivan, and President of the American Federation of Teachers Randi Weingarten.