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October 21, 2022 | Volume 40. No. 8

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Convention 2022 was a resounding success 

PEF did it again! Our union’s Constitution mandates we hold a Convention every autumn and for the last eight years, I’ve been honored to bang the gavel as your president.  The 44th Annual Convention took place Oct. 23-26, in Niagara Falls.  About 500 delegates from agencies across the State attended to conduct the business of the union.

This issue of The Communicator summarizes much of what was accomplished – from the approval of two amendments to the PEF Constitution to the debate over 12 resolutions proposed by officers and members to a variety of speeches by leaders in organized labor and state and federal politics.  Delegates also attended a slew of workshops covering everything from disciplinary hearings to health and safety on the job to the Justice Center.

I am also writing to you just four days before the General Election.  Any member who didn’t vote early, please make a plan to get to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 8.  Depending on your work hours, your employer, New York State, must allot you enough time to cast your ballot, without charging accruals.  Please consult your HR or personnel office if necessary.  Your vote is your voice and it’s critical that we do everything we can to elect pro-labor candidates who will respect and reward public employees.

I leave you with this video of Convention delegates attempting to roll quarters into the tines of a fork.  There was a lot of talk at Convention about how the union needs to attract younger members, so we had a little fun recreating a TikTok challenge for members after they sat down for interviews sharing what they do for New Yorkers.  We’ll be creating and sharing content from those interviews as the 2023 State budget cycle and our PS&T contract negotiations begin.

In Unity,

Wayne Spence
PEF President

Wayne Spence Head Shot WAYNE SPENCE

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