June 17, 2022 — Workplace discrimination is banned in the PEF contract. Nevertheless, some members feel they do experience it, especially when they apply for a promotion or a transfer. Article 36 of the contract between PEF and the state is relatively short. It says PEF will admit all state employees in the Professional, Scientific...
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June 17, 2022 — You may have June 20 off work in recognition of Juneteenth, but what do you know about the new federal holiday? On June 19, 1865, a major general in the Union Army arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation and free the last enslaved Americans in Texas from bondage....
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June 17, 2022 — Since December 8, 2021, there have been union wins at 150 Starbucks stores across the country, according to Starbucks Workers United. Once of them is just down the road from PEF Headquarters on Troy-Schenectady Road in Latham. Wage increases outpaced by inflation and a lack of opportunities for advancement inspired...
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June 17, 2022 — Social media is bursting with discussions about student loan forgiveness – from proponents who want to relieve some of the crushing debt as they grapple with astronomical gas prices and record inflation, to opponents who say previous generations paid off their loans, so this one should, too. Whatever the outcome of...
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It has been a very busy spring for PEF! State lawmakers concluded their work at the start of this month, and I’m pleased to report that PEF pushed through more than half a dozen bills that, if signed by the governor, will improve the working lives of our members. You can read all about...
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June 17, 2022 — Shelby Wisneski is the new PEF Region 2 coordinator. She was the only certified candidate for the seat following the nomination period in PEF’s first quarter 2022 special elections to fill midterm vacancies. She will serve the remainder of the term that expires July 31, 2024. Wisneski is a social...
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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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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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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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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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