• Educating the public on the Niagara Escarpment: PEF member participates in PBS “Nature” episode 

    Educating the public on the Niagara Escarpment: PEF member participates in PBS “Nature” episode 

      June 6, 2023 — When the Public Broadcasting Services (PBS) wanted to feature Niagara Falls as part of its “Nature” series, talking to PEF member Marcus Rosten was a no-brainer. Rosten was approached with the exciting opportunity two years ago, a year before he joined state service and PEF as an environmental educator. ...

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  • Division 234 accepting applications for $500 scholarships, must be postmarked by July 28

    Division 234 accepting applications for $500 scholarships, must be postmarked by July 28

    June 5, 2023 — Division 234 (OTDA/OCFS) will award eight (8) $500 college scholarships to students who are undergraduate, graduate, or vocational degree candidates during the fall 2023 semester.   To ensure applicants have an equal opportunity to benefit from the awards program, qualified applicants will participate in a random drawing to receive a scholarship and...

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  • Division 179 now accepting applications for annual scholarships 

    Division 179 now accepting applications for annual scholarships 

    May 25, 2023 — PEF Division 179, representing members at the Office of General Services and Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services, is now accepting applications for its 2023 scholarship opportunity. The scholarship is available to Division 179 members who have dependents working toward a B.A./B.S. degree starting in Fall 2023.  Applicants must be...

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  • Writers Guild of America is no stranger to strikes 

    Writers Guild of America is no stranger to strikes 

    May 22, 2023 — Right now, members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) are on strike. The strike was born from poor pay and treatment while writers have been working on “new media” entertainment. New media is centered around streaming services and has changed how writers get paid and how their benefits work.  ...

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  • SUNY Stony Brook nurse Amy Lee Pacholk is a stalwart advocate for nurses 

    SUNY Stony Brook nurse Amy Lee Pacholk is a stalwart advocate for nurses 

    A mother, a Surgical Trauma Neurosurgical ICU nurse, a college professor in adult health, the PEF Statewide Nurses Committee chair, an Executive Board Member, Council Leader, and Steward, as well as an AFT PICC member, an artist, and a person who likes to travel – Amy Lee Pacholk is dedicated to so many things.   What...

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  • CLRFR pilot program extended to December 

    CLRFR pilot program extended to December 

    May 18, 2023 — PEF has negotiated an extension until December 31, 2023, of the Certification and License Renewal Fee Reimbursement (CLRFR) Pilot Program, originally set to lapse with the expiration of the 2019-2023 PS&T contract on April 1.   Through the CLRFR, members can apply for reimbursement of up to $200 per fiscal year...

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  • Unions in the News 

    Unions in the News 

    Writers Guild of America on Strike  The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has been on strike for about three weeks. As the strike continues there is an expectation that TV and movie production will slow or even halt entirely. Though most shows have a backlog of episodes to air, all the late-night talk shows have...

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  • PEF Membership Benefits Program Family Days Tickets are Available for Sale!

    PEF Membership Benefits Program Family Days Tickets are Available for Sale!

    May 18, 2023 — Don’t miss out on the opportunity to take your family to a Six Flags theme park this summer at tremendous savings!  The popular, and very well attended PEF MBP Family Day events are back and tickets are going fast! This year’s events take place July 8 at Six Flags Great Adventure...

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  • SUNY Downstate members honor nurses 

    SUNY Downstate members honor nurses 

    May 16, 2023 — At their Nurse Appreciation Lunch on May 10, PEF members at SUNY Downstate hospital recognized two nurses, Dornalee Walker and Maxine Trowers, for their commitment to the profession.  Walker started at Downstate in 2007 with her bachelor’s degree, became a board-certified clinical nurse specialist in 2016 and she received her Doctorate...

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  • Civil Service exams waived for some State jobs under HELP program 

    Civil Service exams waived for some State jobs under HELP program 

    May 15, 2023 — Governor Kathy Hochul announced on May 10, 2023, that thousands of state jobs are open and available for immediate hiring. Some of the agencies in need include the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS), the NYS Insurance Fund (NYSIF), the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and more. Under...

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