• PEF, State continue contract talks

    PEF, State continue contract talks

    The PEF Contract Team, led by Contract Chair Darlene Williams with Chief Negotiator Mark Richard and Contract Administration staff, met again with representatives from the state’s Office of Employee Relations on Jan. 10, 2023.     PEF made detailed presentations on five proposals related to new and existing articles in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Many of...

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  • Labor History: From caulker to labor leader 

    Labor History: From caulker to labor leader 

    The name Frederick Douglass is well known.  But what about Isaac Myers?  Douglass and Myers have several things in common. Both were caulkers in the Baltimore shipyards. Both were leaders in their respective movements – Douglass as an abolitionist and Myers as an early leader in the African American labor movement.  Organizing on the docks ...

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  • PEF scientist honored for work in the field of TB molecular diagnostic testing  

    PEF scientist honored for work in the field of TB molecular diagnostic testing  

    A PEF research scientist at the Department of Health’s Wadsworth Center received a prestigious honor for her work and research on tuberculosis (TB).   Tanya Halse was the 2022 recipient of the Ed Desmond Award from the National Tuberculosis Controllers Association (NTCA), which honors the exemplary service, dedication, or leadership of a tuberculosis laboratory professional. ...

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  • Spence honored for leadership, accomplishments 

    Spence honored for leadership, accomplishments 

    President Wayne Spence made City & State’s 50 Over 50 list, which honors leaders over the age of 50 who have achieved numerous and lasting accomplishments over decades of service to the community.   “It is an honor to be recognized,” Spence said. “I will continue to work tirelessly to ensure fair wages, improved staffing,...

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  • PEF Division 332 members: Spring 2023 scholarship applications due by February 28 

    PEF Division 332 members: Spring 2023 scholarship applications due by February 28 

    PEF Division 332 at the New York State Gaming Commission will award scholarships to eligible full-time students pursuing academic degrees at accredited colleges or universities.  Applications for spring 2023 scholarships should be dropped off or postmarked on or before February 28 to: Mike Skelly, P.O. Box 7500, NYS Gaming Commission, 6th floor, One Broadway Center,...

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  • Retirees in Action: New year, new health insurance premiums and time to show support for important legislation 

    Retirees in Action: New year, new health insurance premiums and time to show support for important legislation 

    Welcome to 2023, a new year which brings new challenges and new opportunities. Every year between September and December our retirees receive multiple mailings regarding changes and updates to our NYSHIP. This year we saw a significant increase in our health insurance premiums.  Insurance premiums for any retiree member who retired from January 1983 to...

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  • Telephone Town Hall: Where PEF stands on the contract, legislative priorities, organizing efforts 

    Telephone Town Hall: Where PEF stands on the contract, legislative priorities, organizing efforts 

    President Wayne Spence, joined by fellow union leaders and staff, updated members on the status of negotiations for a successor agreement to the PS&T 2019-2023 contract, recent legislative wins, upcoming legislative and advocacy initiatives, and an opt-out campaign targeting PEF members.  Just over 8,000 members tuned in for the Telephone Town Hall on January 12. ...

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  • PEF-supported mandatory overtime law protecting nurses signed by governor  

    PEF-supported mandatory overtime law protecting nurses signed by governor  

    January 13, 2023 — At the urging of PEF President Wayne Spence, Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law a measure to increase transparency and accountability for certain health care employers, including state agencies, who continue to rely on mandatory overtime to meet their nurse staffing needs. (S.850 by Senator Jackson/A.970 by Assemblymember Gunther) ...

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  • When the snow hit Buffalo, PEF members were there to help

    When the snow hit Buffalo, PEF members were there to help

    January 13, 2023 — Buffalo and the surrounding area were slammed over the Christmas holiday by one of the worst weather-related disasters ever to hit western New York, dumping more than four feet of snow in some areas and leaving dozens dead.   PEF has members living and working in the area who were impacted...

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  • Strike ends at two NYC hospitals 

    Strike ends at two NYC hospitals 

    January 13, 2023 — As more than 7,000 nurses from two of New York City’s largest hospitals entered the fourth day of a strike, the nurses’ union and hospital administration reached a tentative agreement on Jan. 12, 2023.  The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) and nurses at Mount Sinai Hospital and Montefiore Medical Center...

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