Author: ccanham

PEF-supported mandatory overtime law protecting nurses signed by governor  

January 13, 2023 — At the urging of PEF President Wayne Spence, Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law a measure to increase transparency and accountability for certain health care employers, including state agencies, who continue to rely on mandatory overtime to meet their nurse staffing needs. (S.850 by Senator Jackson/A.970 by Assemblymember Gunther) ...

When the snow hit Buffalo, PEF members were there to help

January 13, 2023 — Buffalo and the surrounding area were slammed over the Christmas holiday by one of the worst weather-related disasters ever to hit western New York, dumping more than four feet of snow in some areas and leaving dozens dead.   PEF has members living and working in the area who were impacted...

Strike ends at two NYC hospitals 

January 13, 2023 — As more than 7,000 nurses from two of New York City’s largest hospitals entered the fourth day of a strike, the nurses’ union and hospital administration reached a tentative agreement on Jan. 12, 2023.  The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) and nurses at Mount Sinai Hospital and Montefiore Medical Center...

PEF leaders attend key State events as new legislative session begins

Are you interested in a leadership role? Nominating petitions for special elections available now 

The first quarter special election is underway to fill 14 vacant Executive Board seats.   Petitions are due by 5 p.m. February 1, 2023. The term of office will be until July 31, 2024. To be nominated for an Executive Board position a candidate must have been a regular PEF member since August 5, 2022.  “Keeping...

PEF visits NYC Children’s Center campuses fostering a love of reading

  PEF joined the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) to distribute books to kids at the Bronx and Queens campuses of the NYC Children’s Center on January 6 as part of the Reading Opens the World initiative.   Between the two facilities, 60 kids had their pick of books donated by PEF and could take...

New Region 12 Coordinator Bill Holthausen is ready to serve

Bill Holthausen recognizes the struggles of a state workforce that is understaffed and underfunded, and he is ready to go to bat for the members of Region 12.   “When I began my career with the state in the late 80s, the state was a good job, a good career,” he said. “We did good work,...

The Statewide Nurses Committee introduced its first annual scholarship

January 10, 2023 — The Statewide Nurses Committee introduced its first annual scholarship at the PEF Convention in Oct. 2022. All nurse delegates were asked to bring proof they had attended an education program over the last three years for consideration. Money for the scholarship was set aside before the pandemic. This year’s winners were...

PEF does it for fire protection specialists! 

January 4, 2023 — In a legislative win for PEF, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a bill that provides a three-quarter accident disability benefit for PEF fire protection specialists.  The new law allows fire protection specialists to receive an accidental disability benefit provided that the injured individual is physically or mentally incapacitated as a natural and...