March 7, 2024 — When SUNY Chancellor John King started making calls in January about a plan to “transform” SUNY Downstate, unions like PEF and United University Professionals (UUP) were quick to mobilize. Their message? Brooklyn Needs Downstate! At a rally on February 29, 2024, a crowd of about 1,200 hospital workers, community members and...
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March 7, 2024 — Since April 2012, all employees hired by New York State have been part of what’s called “Tier 6” of the pension plan. PEF knew it was a bad idea by Gov. Cuomo then, and more than a decade later, the union continues to fight for improvements. In 2022, PEF and...
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March 7, 2024 — Following the multi-union rally at SUNY Downstate on Feb. 29, PEF invited faith leaders from Brooklyn and the surrounding area to Albany on March 4 and 5 to talk with legislators and other officials about the importance of saving the state-run hospital in Brooklyn. Nearly a dozen clergy members participated,...
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April 3, 2024 — Members have started reaching out asking, “Where’s the money?” We’re happy to share that PEF members in the PS&T bargaining unit have seen or will see quite a few bumps in their paychecks in the next few months negotiated as part of the 2023-2026 PS&T Contract. $400 Dental Stipend: During...
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April 3, 2024 — Happy Spring, PEF members and retirees! I’m sharing the below article on retirement insecurity with you during this year’s budget negotiations because it emphasizes the importance of a defined benefit pension and our need in New York State to fix Tier 6. Retirement Insecurity 2024: Americans’ Views of Retirement By the...
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March 7, 2023 — Time marches on. March Madness. The March on Washington. The word march crops up often in our lives, but during the month of March, we commemorate the valuable contributions women have made throughout history. Women have played a pivotal role throughout the labor movement, so this month, why not break out...
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March 7, 2024 — PEF MBP is fostering a love of reading by hosting a free reading and book signing with Teryn Roberts, author of the children’s novel, “I Deserve Better!” from 10 a.m. to noon, March 16, at the Howe Branch of the Albany Public Library, 105 Schuyler St. Roberts is the cousin...
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March 7, 2024 – Union efforts opposing the State’s potential closure of SUNY Downstate hospital are making the rounds in the media, with President Wayne Spence quoted in several. Here is a list of recent coverage about Downstate: WBLS-FM 107.5: President Spence was the guest for a full hour on the Open Line community affairs...
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March 7, 2024 — The past has come back to haunt New York City’s only state-run hospital. A recent proposal by SUNY Chancellor John King seeks to “transform” SUNY Downstate Medical Center, which would effectively close the hospital and farm out some of its services to other healthcare providers in the city. The impact would...
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