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Region 3 hosts New York legislators from the Finger Lakes region at annual breakfast 

March 18, 2024 — PEF Region 3 welcomed nearly a dozen State lawmakers to the regional office in Rochester on March 16 for a Legislative Breakfast.  About 90 PEF members from a dozen State agencies attended to hear from Senators and Assemblymembers. The annual tradition is a chance for lawmakers to speak directly with PEF...

Kate Stickles: Reporter/Editor • Communications

PEF solidarity on display in the community and the Capitol

The first quarter of each year is always a busy time for this union.  The State Legislature is in session, soliciting feedback from PEF and other stakeholders as they formalize the budget. The halls of the Capitol in Albany echo with advocates pushing their priority issues at rallies and press conferences.  PEF has been an...

Rally for SUNY Downstate Hospital shows community strength

March 7, 2024 — When SUNY Chancellor John King started making calls in January about a plan to “transform” SUNY Downstate, unions like PEF and United University Professionals (UUP) were quick to mobilize. Their message? Brooklyn Needs Downstate!  At a rally on February 29, 2024, a crowd of about 1,200 hospital workers, community members and...

Tier 6 rally highlights state workers’ fervor to fix pension plan

  March 7, 2024 — Since April 2012, all employees hired by New York State have been part of what’s called “Tier 6” of the pension plan. PEF knew it was a bad idea by Gov. Cuomo then, and more than a decade later, the union continues to fight for improvements.  In 2022, PEF and...

PEF gathers elected leaders, NYC clergy for discussion about SUNY Downstate 

  March 7, 2024 — Following the multi-union rally at SUNY Downstate on Feb. 29, PEF invited faith leaders from Brooklyn and the surrounding area to Albany on March 4 and 5 to talk with legislators and other officials about the importance of saving the state-run hospital in Brooklyn.  Nearly a dozen clergy members participated,...

PEF contract money to be paid this Spring

April 3, 2024 — Members have started reaching out asking, “Where’s the money?”  We’re happy to share that PEF members in the PS&T bargaining unit have seen or will see quite a few bumps in their paychecks in the next few months negotiated as part of the 2023-2026 PS&T Contract.   $400 Dental Stipend: During...

Retirees in Action: Why a Defined Benefit Pension is so important! 

April 3, 2024 — Happy Spring, PEF members and retirees! I’m sharing the below article on retirement insecurity with you during this year’s budget negotiations because it emphasizes the importance of a defined benefit pension and our need in New York State to fix Tier 6.  Retirement Insecurity 2024: Americans’ Views of Retirement  By the...

LABOR HISTORY: When women, labor, and film connect you get cinematic gems 

March 7, 2023 — Time marches on. March Madness. The March on Washington. The word march crops up often in our lives, but during the month of March, we commemorate the valuable contributions women have made throughout history.  Women have played a pivotal role throughout the labor movement, so this month, why not break out...

PEF Membership Benefits Program hosting book signing and reading March 16

March 7, 2024 — PEF MBP is fostering a love of reading by hosting a free reading and book signing with Teryn Roberts, author of the children’s novel, “I Deserve Better!” from 10 a.m. to noon, March 16, at the Howe Branch of the Albany Public Library, 105 Schuyler St.   Roberts is the cousin...