• Now is the time to recognize essential workers at Albany County Probation

    Now is the time to recognize essential workers at Albany County Probation

    June 17, 2022 — During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, public servants across the country stepped up and went above and beyond to protect their communities. Some municipalities, hospitals, and businesses honored that work with hazard pay or bonuses.  In Albany County, there are workers deserving of that recognition who have not received any....

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  • The power of positive thinking amid a mental health crisis

    The power of positive thinking amid a mental health crisis

    June 17, 2022 — Times have been tough for PEF members the last few years – thousands faced COVID on the job as essential workers or endured the isolation brought on by the pandemic; and now, everyone is adjusting to record-high inflation and returning to work amid still prevalent COVID cases statewide.  “We recognize how...

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  • Enjoy summer, but keep protected from COVID

    Enjoy summer, but keep protected from COVID

    As we ease into summer, hopefully we are getting closer to being able to relax and start enjoying life without fear of COVID-19.  It has been a long and arduous process through these past two years of the pandemic. At PEF Retirees, we have cautiously started gathering again as an Executive Board and in our...

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  • State suspends weekly COVID testing requirement for unvaccinated employees

    State suspends weekly COVID testing requirement for unvaccinated employees

    June 17, 2022 — The state suspended, effective June 7, its requirement that employees not vaccinated against COVID-19 be tested weekly for the virus.    Nevertheless, the state Office of Employee Relations (OER) told state human resource managers to “encourage all employees to continue testing through home tests or at testing locations.”  This is only a...

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  • Letters to the Editor – June 2022

    Letters to the Editor – June 2022

    Report on more labor-related legal issues To The Editor:  I have been a snowbird for several years now and have noticed how easily former civil service employees forget where their retirement benefits came from. I respectfully request that The Communicator report on U.S. Supreme Court cases that have had an impact on unions and labor...

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  • Members ask tough questions at DOCCS annual Open Forum

    Members ask tough questions at DOCCS annual Open Forum

    May 17, 2022 — After a two-year hiatus due to COVID, President Wayne Spence, Statewide Labor Management Chair Steve Drake, and the Statewide Labor Management Team were eager to host the annual Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) Labor Management Conference, held May 11-13 in Saratoga. The conference began with several training sessions in...

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  • Member gathers skills and effectiveness with every challenge met

    Member gathers skills and effectiveness with every challenge met

      May 27, 2022 — It’s not unusual to find that someone who is investing a lot of time and energy in their union, is also carrying other responsibilities beyond their immediate family and job duties. Yamil Speight-Miller is such a person, but he takes it to such lengths that it goes beyond “unusual” all...

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  • PEF officers engage members at locations across the state

    PEF officers engage members at locations across the state

    June 17, 2022 — PEF’s statewide officers are hard at work attending open houses and visiting state office buildings and worksites to engage PEF members. At each of the meetings, the president, secretary-treasurer, vice presidents and appropriate regional coordinator and PEF staff provide updates about union priorities, while members get the chance to directly ask...

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  • Statewide Tour – Photo Gallery

    Statewide Tour – Photo Gallery

     

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  • Pensions support us and our communities

    Pensions support us and our communities

    Working people face difficulties and dangers in the workplace all the time. Unfortunately with labor laws and OSHA regulations as they stand, workers are often put in dangerous situations just to put food on the table. The last two years however has seen this long-standing problem get considerably worse. Low-wage workers and essential workers have...

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