UNION LEADER SPOTLIGHT
Husband and wife, Christopher and Anne Jordan, are a strong example of a union family – both serving their PEF Divisions and their coworkers as union leaders.
How long have you been a PEF member?
Anne: I have been a PEF member since Nov. 11, 2015, previously I was 10-plus years with NYSCOPBA.
Chris: I have been with PEF since I started with the state on Oct. 18, 2007.
Briefly summarize what you do for the people of New York.
Anne: Locally I help my members at Division 324 to ensure they have a safe work environment; I keep them up to date on PEF news; and I answer all their questions. I plan a monthly women’s hike every first Sunday of the month for PEF Region 3, but it is open to any PEF members and their families and friends.
Chris: I have worked for DOT my entire time with the state, 10 years as a highway designer. Now I work in Traffic Safety & Mobility where I conduct safety audits of highways, and ensure signs, signals, and guide rails are up to state and federal standards.
What position(s) do you hold in PEF?
Anne: I am a union leader/steward for Division 324 Groveland Correctional Facility; I am on the PEF Women’s Committee for Region 3; I am a Political Action Committee member for Division 324; and I am a Convention delegate.
Chris: I have been Executive Board representative Seat 520, which represents DOT Regions 4 (Rochester) and 6 (Hornell) since March of 2023. I was also recently elected to steward of my local division, Division 175.
Why did you choose to run for a leadership position?
Anne: To get more involved in the union and to understand what the union does for me and my members.
Chris: I wanted to represent my fellow coworkers at DOT. I wanted to make sure their voices are heard at Executive Board. As for my division, I wanted my coworkers in Hornell to see the value and benefits that PEF can give them, and what working together can do to help everyone.
Please comment on the value of public employees.
Anne: The state would not run without its public employees; we are the oil to the machine and the glue that keeps it together.
Chris: Public employees are essential for our society to function. We do many things that the general public take for granted. I take pride in knowing that my work can impact thousands of people by keeping them safe on the highway, helping them get to where they need to go. We serve the general public because we know what we do is essential for everyone. It is not just to benefit stockholders or put extra money into certain pockets. It’s about maintaining our state and way of life.
If you would like to suggest someone for a future Union Leader Spotlight, please email communicator@pef.org.