Delegates to PEF’s convention in Niagara Falls approved two amendments to the PEF Constitution and dealt with a dozen proposed resolutions submitted by officers and members. The first of the constitutional amendments simply removed references to “fee payers,” since that term was made obsolete by a ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court. The second amendment...
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Rev. Terrence L. Melvin, secretary-treasurer of the New York State AFL-CIO, fired up the delegates on the floor during his keynote address at the 44th Annual Convention in Niagara Falls. “It’s good to be here with you,” he said. “It’s truly humbling to be amongst such proud and successful union members. Congratulations on setting the...
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New York State Assembly Majority Leader Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes praised PEF members for the work they do and the hope they bring to the future. “I believe in public service,” she said. “This is how we move forward. We have a responsibility to deliver a service. We are public servants, not servants of ourselves.” Peoples-Stokes...
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PEF did it again! Our union’s Constitution mandates we hold a Convention every autumn and for the last eight years, I’ve been honored to bang the gavel as your president. The 44th Annual Convention took place Oct. 23-26, in Niagara Falls. About 500 delegates from agencies across the State attended to conduct the business of...
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If you are being discriminating against in your state job, you don’t have to stand for it. PEF convention delegates had two chances to attend a workshop on the work of PEF’s Joint Affirmative Action Advisory Committee to stand with members in that unfair and unfortunate situation. PEF President Wayne Spence said the union is...
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Diversity. Inclusion. Equity. The PEF Black Caucus, the Hispanic Committee, the Indo-American Committee, the Jewish Committee, and the Caribbean Committee came together during the Convention to share their heritages with fellow delegates and call for diversity, inclusion and equity within PEF and in our communities. The Hispanic Committee talked about a pilot program to...
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The PEF Indo-American Committee celebrated Diwali with delegates at the annual Convention. Founding member and Committee President Radhakrishna Mohan said Diwali is the Festival of Lights and explained that millions observe the holiday across the world. PEF President Wayne Spence and members of his family joined the committee and delegates to light candles and celebrate...
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The PEF Veterans Committee upheld its tradition of holding a veterans’ luncheon at the union’s annual convention. The event was hosted by committee member Bruce Jagroop, since Committee Chair Latonia Taylor was serving active military duty. Delegate Ali Muhsen, a U.S. Air Force retiree and chaplain at Auburn Correctional Facility, gave the benediction. As usual,...
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Many PEF members work at state agencies such as the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities that are subject to the watchdog efforts of the state Justice Center for People with Disabilities, and some members worry that they might be wrongly brought up on charges by the Justice Center in its efforts to protect individuals...
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