October 25, 2023 | Volume 41. No. 8
Better Together in 2023 and beyond
Another PEF Convention is in the books and this time we truly made history. The presidents of both our international parent unions, AFT and SEIU, addressed the delegation, as did the president of the New York State AFL-CIO. And that was just before lunch on day one! After lunch, our keynote speaker, National AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, told delegates “this PEF family is the heart and soul and strength of the labor movement in New York State.” I could not agree more!
In addition to recaps of those powerful speeches by labor leaders, this post-Convention issue of The Communicator features a summary of my State of the Union address, as well as snippets from annual Convention events such as the Health & Safety Breakfast, Nurses’ Luncheon, and Indo-American Committee Program. I heard from many delegates on the ground in Syracuse this year that the agenda was jam packed, just as it should be when more than 500 of New York’s most committed labor activists get together to conduct the business of their union!
At the President’s Reception kicking off Convention, we received some very good news from New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. The $3,000 bonus earned by members for ratifying the 2023-2026 PS&T Contract will be paid next month. Members on the administrative payroll will receive their bonus on Nov. 8, while members on the institutional payroll will get theirs on Nov. 16. This money is part of your regular paycheck and therefore taxable, so if you want to lower your taxable income by either signing up for or increasing your pre-tax contributions to the New York State Deferred Compensation Plan, please visit this page.
We spoke to more than 50 delegates in our Convention video studio about PEF’s ongoing efforts to reform Tier 6 of the New York State pension system. Last year we lowered the vesting period from 10 to 5 years and this year we’re pushing to standardize the employee pension contribution rate at 3% after 10 years of service. Those videos will become part of our campaign in the months ahead as we build toward the legislative session. Fixing Tier 6 is one of the best things we can do to make New York State a desirable employer. That’s exactly what Vice President Randi DiAntonio told State leaders earlier this month at a hearing held by the Senate’s Civil Service & Pension Committee.
While the planning and execution of PEF’s annual Convention is demanding work, I always leave Convention energized and inspired by all the members of this union. This year we had nearly 100 new delegates attending their first Convention, and that is a clear sign of how strong and vital PEF is now and will be in the future. Thank you to all PEF members for the work you do both looking out for one another in this union and serving the citizens of New York.
WAYNE SPENCE
Featured Stories
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Convention Delegates review the wins of 2023 and chart a course of action for 2024
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State of the Union: We’re Better Together and making a difference for members and New Yorkers
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PEF Convention brings powerful labor leaders to Syracuse
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PEF to State Senate: Fix Tier 6 and increase compensation to attract and retain State workers
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PEF members, leaders call for respect at rally against toxic work environments
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Members need your leave donations
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Table of Contents
- Better Together in 2023 and beyond
- PEF member at New York State Museum curates indigenous art and inspiration
- Board gains four new members following Special Election; one contested seat goes to balloting
- PEF urges oversight and caution when it comes to use of Artificial Intelligence in the State workforce
- 2024 Joseph Scacalossi Scholarship applications now available
- Productivity Enhancement Program now accepting enrollment
- Flex spending accounts for PEF members now open for enrollment
- Convention Delegates review the wins of 2023 and chart a course of action for 2024
- State of the Union: We’re Better Together and making a difference for members and New Yorkers
- Convention Keynote: AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler: The labor movement grows thanks to PEF
- PEF Convention brings powerful labor leaders to Syracuse
- President’s Reception: Comptroller kicks off Convention
- Nurses’ Luncheon offers help to nurses dealing with substance use disorders
- PEF ‘superheroes’ learn how to seek solutions to health and safety issues in the workplace
- Indo-American Committee celebrates Diwali and Indian cultural customs and accomplishments
- Veterans at Convention learn about challenges of military psychiatry
- Domestic and gender-based violence: It can impact your work life, too
- Retirees need to pay attention in the upcoming elections
- PEF nurtures emerging leaders
- SEFA campaign promotes community and leadership
- PEF in the News
- PEF to State Senate: Fix Tier 6 and increase compensation to attract and retain State workers
- Executive Board tackles toxic work environments, hears from key state leaders
- Letters to the Editor – October 2023
- PEF in the News
- National Roundabouts Week promotes safe roads for New Yorkers
- PEF members, leaders call for respect at rally against toxic work environments
- State employees allowed up to 4 hours uncharged leave for COVID vaccine, boosters
- 2023 Audited Financial Statements
- PEF officers, volunteers gather petitions to raise support and awareness for unionizing local Starbucks