May 8, 2024 — Do you have a college-bound student this year? They might be able to apply for several scholarships offered by PEF or other union organizations. The cost of college is daunting and sometimes even prohibitive. Full-time resident students at public four-year colleges spend an average of $24,840 per academic year, while...
Read More
May 8, 2024 — In honor of Nurses Month, we spoke to Statewide Nurses Committee (SWNC) member Clara Shamatanga about why she chose to become a nurse and her involvement in the union. Clara is an RN who works as a psychiatric nurse educator at Bronx Psychiatric Center (PC). She began her state service with...
Read More
May 8, 2024 — Natasha Pecue started working as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor in 2012. Her job was helping people with disabilities find employment. As a worker with a disability herself, she found fulfillment in her job. But nine years into her career with the Adult Career and Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) office in Clinton...
Read More
April 18, 2024 — Dozens of PEF nurses from across the state converged on Albany for Nurse Lobby Day on April 15, meeting with members of the state Assembly and Senate to share stories and urge support for Tier 6 reform, bullying legislation, a health care preceptor tax credit program, expanding the nurse staffing committee...
Read More
April 18, 2024 — To get into libraries, Department of Motor Vehicle offices, hospitals, and many other locations in cities across New York, you must first walk through metal detectors. If that had been the case at Buffalo Psychiatric Center’s Strozzi building on April 3, three staff members, including one PEF member, may not have...
Read More
April 18, 2024 — The PEF Membership Benefits Program is once again offering PEF members and retirees the opportunity to chase some fun this summer at one of two special events for PEF families and friends. All members and retirees across New York are encouraged to take advantage of a special ticket price offer at...
Read More
April 18, 2024 — A new report from the Office of the State Comptroller reaffirms a central tenet of PEF’s Fund Our Future campaign – New York is in dire need of reinvestment in mental health services after a decade of cuts administered by former Governor Andrew Cuomo. According to the report, statewide inpatient...
Read More
May 8, 2024 — Nurses have always been one of the largest single job groups in PEF, working across several agencies from DOCCS to all the “O” agencies like OASAS, OCFS, OMH, OPWDD, and of course the three SUNY hospitals. However, it wasn’t until 1998 under PEF President Roger Benson, that PEF established the position...
Read More
May 8, 2024 — In honor of National Nurse’s Month, let me introduce you to Cynthia Walker, a registered nurse who currently works at SUNY Downstate and serves as a Steward, Secretary, and a member of the PEF Statewide Nurses Committee. Most recently, Cynthia was a member of the 2023-2026 contract team and is the...
Read More