• UNION LEADER SPOTLIGHT: Elizabeth Murray

    UNION LEADER SPOTLIGHT: Elizabeth Murray

        April 3, 2023 — This is part of a series of Q&As with Union leaders across the state. If you have a suggestion for a profile, please email communicator@pef.org.  How long have you been a PEF member?  I have been a PEF member for eight years.  Briefly summarize what you do for...

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  • President Biden goes to bat for retirees with his 2024 budget 

    President Biden goes to bat for retirees with his 2024 budget 

    April 3, 2023 — President Biden wrote an op-ed in the New York Times March 7 to showcase his plans to protect and preserve Medicare, and he released the administration’s complete budget proposal for fiscal year 2024 on March 9.  The budget tackles two of the most pressing issues for current and future retirees: lowering...

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  • Respect us, protect us, pay us: Social workers call for much needed change to recruit and retain staff 

    Respect us, protect us, pay us: Social workers call for much needed change to recruit and retain staff 

    March 20, 2023 – “We are inundated with so much paperwork, it’s not leaving us enough time to actually meet with our patients.”  “The workload has increased tremendously. A lot more paperwork and unfortunately a lot less time with the patients.”  “Therapists formerly had 60 patients on a caseload and that was considered full. Today,...

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  • Unions helping unions: PEF travels to Montana for member engagement drive 

    Unions helping unions: PEF travels to Montana for member engagement drive 

      March 20, 2023 – PEF members and organizers recently joined the Montana Federation of Public Employees Workers (MFPE) for a week of door knocking, worksite visits, and rallies to engage their members.  Region 8 Coordinator Danielle Bridger, Trustee Bruce Giddings, Organizing Director Dan Carpenter, and Region 1-5 Organizer Andrew Puleo joined PEF’s fellow AFT...

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  • PEF secures new benefit for state employees who park in non-state garages and lots 

    PEF secures new benefit for state employees who park in non-state garages and lots 

    March 20, 2023 — Do you drive to work and park in a lot or garage not operated by New York State?  Thanks to PEF’s 2019-2023 Collective Bargaining Agreement, you can now set aside pre-tax funds to help offset the cost of that parking. PEF members on the Joint Multi-Union Work Life Services Advisory Board...

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  • Honoring community, union service during Women’s History Month 

    Honoring community, union service during Women’s History Month 

    March 20, 2023 — In honor of Women’s History Month in March, PEF is featuring three union members who are going above and beyond in their union and their community. These women are dedicated to educating, serving, and protecting their coworkers and their neighbors.  Suzette Grant Executive Board Department of Financial Services Manhattan  Following in...

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  • PEF closely monitoring Executive Budget proposals  

    PEF closely monitoring Executive Budget proposals  

    March 20, 2023 — PEF’s Legislative Department has analyzed the so-called “One-House” budget bills released last week by the State Senate and Assembly for the impact they will have on PEF members and the services they provide. The proposals encompass education, labor, family assistance, public protection, general governance, health and mental hygiene, transportation, and economic...

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  • PEF Special Election

    PEF Special Election

    March 20, 2023 — Three contested Executive Board seats were filled following the January 2023 special elections. William Ferguson was elected to Seat 55, representing certain members at Economic Development; Tamara Martin will fill Seat 255, representing certain members at the Law Department; and Mamadou Diallo was elected to Seat 535, representing certain members at the Department of Transportation.  ...

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  • Former CDPC council leader Mary Haltermann passes away 

    Former CDPC council leader Mary Haltermann passes away 

    March 20, 2023 – Former Executive Board member and Division 231 council leader Mary L. Haltermann passed away March 12, after a long illness.   A staff pharmacist at Capital District Psychiatric Center (CDPC) before her retirement in November 2021, Haltermann was proud of her work as a PEF union leader, and she fiercely defended...

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