• State of the Union: We’re Better Together and making a difference for members and New Yorkers 

    State of the Union: We’re Better Together and making a difference for members and New Yorkers 

    October 24, 2023 — The theme of the 45th Annual PEF Convention was “Better Together.”  During his ninth State of the Union address, President Wayne Spence backed that up with facts from the year since the last Convention, including the negotiation of a strong contract, victories in the legislature, community outreach and union engagement, and...

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  • Convention Keynote: AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler: The labor movement grows thanks to PEF 

    Convention Keynote: AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler: The labor movement grows thanks to PEF 

    October 25, 2023 — After being treated to remarks from the most powerful leaders in the international and New York labor movements, President Spence welcomed this year’s keynote speaker to the stage. National AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler praised the delegates for their show of democracy on the floor.  “You all know Robert’s Rules of Order...

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  • Better Together in 2023 and beyond 

    Better Together in 2023 and beyond 

    Another PEF Convention is in the books and this time we truly made history. The presidents of both our international parent unions, AFT and SEIU, addressed the delegation, as did the president of the New York State AFL-CIO. And that was just before lunch on day one! After lunch, our keynote speaker,...

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  • PEF Convention brings powerful labor leaders to Syracuse  

    PEF Convention brings powerful labor leaders to Syracuse  

    October 25, 2023 — This year’s convention brought together some of the most influential and powerful leaders in the labor movement. From the labor houses of AFT, SEIU and the AFL-CIO, PEF delegates were given insight and inspiration as the fight continues to make New York state a better place for all workers. Each of...

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  • President’s Reception: Comptroller kicks off Convention 

    President’s Reception: Comptroller kicks off Convention 

    October 24, 2023 — The President’s Reception, held the first night of each annual PEF Convention, is a chance for members to mingle, get excited for convention and, this year, hear some welcome news from the New York State Comptroller.  “We call this the President’s reception, but I really think it ought to be called...

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  • Nurses’ Luncheon offers help to nurses dealing with substance use disorders 

    Nurses’ Luncheon offers help to nurses dealing with substance use disorders 

    October 24, 2023 — Nursing has always been one of the largest professions in the world and is often viewed as one of the most important and rewarding.  However, nursing can also be a very difficult and straining profession as well.  The PEF Statewide Nurses Committee held its annual luncheon on October 17 at Convention,...

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  • PEF ‘superheroes’ learn how to seek solutions to health and safety issues in the workplace 

    PEF ‘superheroes’ learn how to seek solutions to health and safety issues in the workplace 

    October 24, 2023 — Which are you more likely to look at – the colorful images and action words of a comic strip or a traditional flyer?  The comic strip, of course.  Using the power of superheroes and comics, SOMOS and Marvel Entertainment created a special comic book urging New Yorkers to get vaccinated...

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  • Indo-American Committee celebrates Diwali and Indian cultural customs and accomplishments

    Indo-American Committee celebrates Diwali and Indian cultural customs and accomplishments

    October 24, 2023 — Delegates who attended the PEF Indo-American Committee event at Convention came away with a little more knowledge about India’s celebrations, both cultural and societal, and a better understanding of their fellow members.  “Diwali is a festival of lights celebrated on a moonless night, when it is dark all around,” said Radhakrishna...

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  • Veterans at Convention learn about challenges of military psychiatry 

    Veterans at Convention learn about challenges of military psychiatry 

    October 25, 2023 — Many of the veterans among PEF’s Convention delegate ranks gathered for a luncheon and to hear guest speaker James Demer, M.D., a PEF member who works with children at Hutchings Psychiatric Center in Syracuse, but during his tenure as a military psychiatrist deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom to Afghanistan. ...

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  • Domestic and gender-based violence: It can impact your work life, too 

    Domestic and gender-based violence: It can impact your work life, too 

    October 24, 2023 — Did you know that 1 in 3 women, 1 in 4 men and 54% of transgender individuals in the United States report having experienced violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime? On a typical day, domestic violence hotlines across the nation receive more than 19,000 calls, or 13 calls every...

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