Volume 42. No. 5 Archives

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June 11, 2024 | Volume 42. No. 5

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PEF power grows, from Brooklyn to Buffalo to D.C.!

The power of union and community solidarity was on display over the last month – in the halls of the New York State Legislature, in communities from Brooklyn to Buffalo, and even on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

In the fight to keep SUNY Downstate open and serving the community, PEF partnered with United University Professions (UUP), concerned local clergy, and state legislators, leveraging our collective voices to halt the planned transformation. I traveled to Washington, D.C., with a team of staff, clergy, and PEF leaders last week for a productive meeting with U.S. Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, whose district includes SUNY Downstate.

Our lobbying on PEF legislative issues fared well this year, with passage of our anti-bullying bill; legislation that will regulate the use of Artificial Intelligence by State agencies, and workers’ compensation for all workers who suffer mental injuries on the job, among many others. All these PEF priorities must now be signed by the Governor before becoming law, so be on the lookout for letter-writing campaigns and other ways you can express your solidarity in the second half of the year. The Governor has until Dec. 31, 2024, to sign the bills.

The current PEF Executive Board met for the last time (the three-year term ends July 31, 2024) on May 30-31 in Albany and Department of Civil Service Commissioner Timothy R. Hogues updated the board on improvements to the Civil Service system, including expanded exams and better notification of upcoming tests. In addition, he shared the great news that the State has put out its request for proposals to conduct a statewide salary review of all titles. PEF is advocating for a two-salary-grade increase across the board in an effort to bring state salaries in line with the private sector. The commissioner also discussed the NY HELPS program, and board members urged him to make sure existing Civil Service lists are not bypassed when considering promotional opportunities.

If New York wants to recruit and retain a talented workforce, it will also need to continue improving Tier 6 of the State pension plan. The board welcomed Senator Robert Jackson, chair of the Civil Service and Pensions Committee, and Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato, chairwoman of the Committee on Governmental Employees, to speak on the topic.

I always like to end with some good news, so let me inform you that thanks to Article 15 of the PEF contract, members are now eligible for up to $5,000 per calendar year for college tuition reimbursement, and $300 in annual reimbursement for certification and license renewals.

I wish you all a relaxing and productive start to your summer. We’ll be back in late July with our summer double issue.