• PEF takes action after series of workplace violence incidents 

    PEF takes action after series of workplace violence incidents 

    December 21, 2023 — PEF responded quickly in late October to an exploding situation at the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) Industry Residential Center outside Rochester, following several serious assault incidents over two days. PEF Health and Safety staff, regional staff, members, and the newly elected OCFS Statewide Health & Safety Committee chair...

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  • Conference brings together PEF, management to focus on health & safety

    Conference brings together PEF, management to focus on health & safety

    December 21, 2023 — When COVID shut down much of the world, it also had a devastating impact on PEF’s health and safety committees at worksites and agencies across the state.  Hopefully, that’s about to change.  For the first time since 2018, PEF and the State held a joint Health & Safety Conference from December...

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  • PEF members, state managers take part in variety of health and safety workshops 

    PEF members, state managers take part in variety of health and safety workshops 

    December 21, 2023 — The 2023 Health & Safety Conference offered a variety of workshops for PEF members and state managers to hone their skills and learn new ones. From injury and illness reports to bridging the gap between generations, to active shooter training, attendees were offered workshops to provide them with critical tools for...

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  • Award recipients make invaluable contributions to health and safety in the workplace 

    Award recipients make invaluable contributions to health and safety in the workplace 

    December 21, 2023 — PEF members were honored for their contributions to health and safety in the workplace at the 2023 PEF/State Health & Safety Conference December 11 to 13 in Saratoga. The recipients are listed below. For more details, click here.  Judith Scanlon PEF Health & Safety Activist Award  Region 9 Coordinator Diane...

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  • Workers’ Comp Board chair discusses respect, solidarity with unions 

    Workers’ Comp Board chair discusses respect, solidarity with unions 

    December 21, 2023 — On the second day of the 2023 Health and Safety Conference, keynote speaker Clarissa M. Rodriguez, Esq., shared her lifelong respect for the labor movement, the importance of labor and management communications, and her commitment to continue fostering cooperation with unions in her role as chair and commissioner of the New...

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  • PEF delivers a prescription for health care workforce success at legislative hearing 

    PEF delivers a prescription for health care workforce success at legislative hearing 

    December 21, 2023 — New York State’s health care sector is experiencing a staffing crisis. The Department of Health projects a shortage of 40,000 nurses by 2030. The state is also experiencing staffing vacancy rates between 30-40% and turnover rates exceeding 25%.   It’s a recipe for disaster and the reason why state lawmakers and...

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  • PEF members help NY State parks and historic sites celebrate 100 years  

    PEF members help NY State parks and historic sites celebrate 100 years  

    December 21, 2023 — It’s going to be a big year for the New York state parks and historic sites system in 2024.   Across New York, from Niagara Falls to Long Island, parks and historic sites will be celebrating 100 years of connecting the public to nature and history, and PEF members are at the...

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  • Noteworthy state parks and historic sites in each PEF region  

    Noteworthy state parks and historic sites in each PEF region  

    Region 1: Niagara Falls State Park  The mighty crash of Niagara Falls is indisputably the focal point of America’s first state park. Millions of visitors flock to the attractions, interactive exhibits and miles of hiking trails. Whether you choose to feel the water and wind on the Maid of the Mist tour, get completely...

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  • A toast to 2023 and cheers for 2024!

    A toast to 2023 and cheers for 2024!

    Happy Holidays to the proud public employees of PEF! I cannot believe it has been a year already, but what a year it has been! This is our annual double-issue to say goodbye to 2023 and ring in 2024 and it is jam packed with stories.  First, we have a look back on the...

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