June 14, 2023 — On May 5, 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the COVID-19 pandemic is no longer a global health emergency, citing a downward trend in worldwide cases and deaths. The United States followed the WHO announcement by ending its COVID-19 public health emergency on May 11. Both those decisions mean...
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June 13, 2023 — The acting commissioner of the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS), Anthony Annucci, has retired. His last day in office was June 9 and his retirement officially begins on August 11. Annucci began his DOCCS career in 1984 as a deputy counsel. He was appointed acting commissioner...
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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