Editor’s Note: In a new feature, we will look back at significant PEF achievements since the union’s formation in 1979. PEF members are no strangers to out-of-title work and they often look to their union for resolution. That’s what members at the then-Department of Correctional Services did through the labor-management process in 1986, when professional...
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November 21, 2023 — Former PEF Executive Board member and Council Leader Ed Swierkowski passed away Nov. 5, 2023, on Long Island, surrounded by family. He represented members of Division 200 at the Department of Labor (DOL). Swierkowski, 70, of Merrick, leaves behind his wife Jeanne; children Lisa and Lynn (Chris) Dinger; and grandchildren Ryan,...
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November 21, 2023 — When asked, “Who is Vincent Cicatello,” he immediately answered that he is the “PEF Council Leader of Buffalo Psychiatric Center, I serve on the PEF Executive Board in Seat 260, newly appointed as Co-chair of the PEF Statewide Nurses Committee, and was most recently a member of the 2023 PEF Contract...
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November 7, 2023 — One of the largest curations of indigenous art from across New York State is now being featured at the New York State Museum. Each One Inspired: Indigenous Art Across the Homelands looks at the sources of inspiration for Indigenous artists from across the state. This is the third time this collection...
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November 7, 2023 — Four new Executive Board members were seated following the October 2023 Special Election. For the term of office until July 31, 2024, Matthew Fagan will fill Seat 10 (DFS); Mario Chiarello will fill Seat 172 (ITS); Patricia Trowbridge will fill Seat 395 (OPWDD); and Ross Dorsey will fill Seat 430 (OCFS). ...
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November 7, 2023 — PEF Executive Board members Christopher Ford and Prakash Lal testified on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the state workforce before the State Assembly’s Standing Committees on Labor and Science & Technology on October 19. Both are longtime PEF members at the Office of Information Technology Services (ITS). “AI has...
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Each year, PEF awards 10 scholarships valued at $1,000 for four years to students from union families through the Joseph Scacalossi Scholarship. The scholarship is available to children, stepchildren or wards of active PEF members, retirees, or deceased members. The program is open to high school seniors and college freshman. Applications can be downloaded from...
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November 1, 2023 — The 2024 Open enrollment for the Productivity Enhancement Program (PEP) has begun and will run through December 11, 2023. PEF allows PEF members to exchange accrued annual leave or personal leave in return for a biweekly credit that reduces an employee’s share of the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP)...
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October 30, 2023 — The 2024 open enrollment period for Dependent Care Advantage Accounts (DCCA), Health Care Spending Accounts (HCSA), and Adoption Advantage Accounts runs from November 1 to December 11, 2023. These flexible spending accounts are state employee benefits that allow payment for certain expenses with pre-tax dollars. HCSA This account lets you set...
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October 25, 2023 — The 45th Annual PEF Convention kicked off October 15 with more than 500 delegates gathering in Syracuse to conduct the business of the union, including review of the Secretary-Treasurer’s and Trustees’ reports; setting the state and federal legislative agendas; debating an amendment to the PEF Constitution; and considering a variety of...
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