September 24, 2024 — The 46th annual PEF Convention kicked off September 15 in Syracuse with the President’s Reception, followed by three days of plenary sessions, workshops, and luncheon meetings where the more than 550 delegates discussed union finances, legislative agendas, and several proposed resolutions.
This year, the Convention theme was “Moving Together,” and that’s what delegates did over the course of the three days.
“What does ‘moving together’ mean in the union?” asked Convention Committee Chair and PEF Vice President Darlene Williams. “It means uniting in the pursuit of better working conditions, social justice, and having the ability to advance the rights and wellbeing of every member.
“When we move together, we are powerful,” she said. “To negotiate, to advocate, and to bring about meaningful change. It reminds us that every step forward is a step taken by all. No one is left behind. In unity, we find the courage to face our challenges because I have someone who is standing with me.”
Speakers take the podium
Several elected leaders addressed the delegates, either in person or through video messages, including Assemblymember Pamela J. Hunter, Sen. John Mannion, Sen. Rachel May, Sen. Chuck Schumer, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, and Attorney General Letitia James; AFT President Randi Weingarten and SEIU President April Verrett also spoke remotely.
READ MORE: Political allies address delegatesFollowing a solemn remembrance to those who passed since the last Convention, President Wayne Spence took to the podium to give his State of the Union address and update delegates on what PEF has accomplished in the past year, and in the years since COVID-19 ripped through the world.
READ MORE: President Spence delivers historic 10th State of the Union address
“This marks the tenth time I’ve had the privilege to address you,” Spence said. “I’m honored and I’m humbled to be the first president to do so. As we gather under the theme, ‘Moving Together,’ I want to take a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come as a union. We’re stronger now than we have ever been before.”
This year’s keynote address came from Mark Richard, who has served as the chief negotiator on the PEF Contract Team for many years. A 45-year American Federation of Teachers (AFT) member, he is an attorney who has dedicated his legal career to representing solely labor unions.
READ MORE: Mark Richard inspires in Keynote address
Finances of the union
Secretary-Treasurer Joe Donahue said the union’s finances are steady and in great shape.
“PEF is in the best financial position in the history of this union,” he said. “The union is in an extremely strong financial situation with $40.8 million in dues revenue from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024. Total revenue is up $3.34 million, to $43 million. Total expenditures were $42.7 million.”
Post-retirement liabilities noticeably increased due to changes in the post-retirement benefits provided in the staff union contract and management/confidential synopsis, but the loss was offset by gains in PEF’s investments.
“Costs are increasing, but so are our efforts to recruit and retain membership,” Donahue said. “Our membership numbers reflect that. I am proud of the work we have put in to make this union larger and stronger. We have shown that we continue to hear our members.
“I can report to you that PEF is in very good financial shape, and I intend to keep it there,” he said.
Trustees report out
Trustees Muriel Hardy-Lee, Kelly Nadeau, and Radhakrishna Moran reported that the audit for fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, completed by the Bonadio Group (CPA), was clean.
“They determined that the consolidated financial statements are presented fairly and reasonably free from material misstatements, and issued an unmodified opinion,” Trustee Kelly Nadeau said. “The Bonadio Group did not detect any internal controls that identified material weakness.”
She said that the most sensitive estimates reported were the fair market value of investments and the calculation of post-retirement health care costs.
Working with PEF’s internal auditor, the trustees also reviewed Divisions, Regions, and statewide officer expenses to ensure compliance with PEF policies and observance of good business practices.
Trustee Muriel Hardy-Lee informed delegates that the audit reported no findings of fraud, waste, or abuse within the 112 Divisions audited in the past 12 months, as well as the 12 Regions audited for fiscal year 2022-23. Additionally, Hardy-Lee noted that there was a decrease in Divisions whose status was Not in Good Standing, with 19.5% in the August 2024 report, down from 34% in September 2023.
The improvement highlights the work of the PEF Divisions Finance Department’s efforts to get Divisions back on track. Work continues to fill more top leadership positions within Divisions.
Trustee Radhakrishna Mohan concluded the report by updating delegates about progress the union has made to implement the Convention resolutions adopted in 2023.
Legislative agendas
Vice President Randi DiAntonio, chair of PEF’s Statewide Political Action Committee (SWPAC), presented the federal and state legislative agendas on the second day of plenary action.
“Political action allows us to build power and visibility to advance legislation to improve our lives,” she said. “We want New York to be a more attractive employer so we are not doing the jobs of four or five people.
“PEF has engaged in a coordinated campaign called ‘Fund Our Future for a Thriving New York’ where we’ve brought together our parent unions, membership, the community, and elected officials with the goal of reinvesting in the public workforce,” she said. “Since last Convention, we have made progress on several fronts.”
Among those fronts was fixing Tier 6, where political action was successful in getting the five-year final average salary calculation down to three years – which will result in higher annual pensions for Tier 6 members – and removing overtime from the contributions calculation.
“We know there is a lot more to do to fix Tier 6 and Tier 5,” DiAntonio said.
PEF also advocated successfully for ending the lag payroll program, securing $55 million to restore more than 200 inpatient psychiatric beds, and getting millions of dollars allocated for improvements at the New York State Museum, among many others.
“It’s not just what we get, it’s also what we stop,” DiAntonio said. “PEF stopped cuts to retiree healthcare reimbursements, prevented the state from entering the interstate nursing compact, and we saved SUNY Downstate, again.
“None of these wins could have happened without all of you,” she said. “When we fight, we win!”
In the next legislative session, PEF will continue to advocate for ensuring quality services, protecting employee rights, maintaining a stable public workforce, reforming New York labor law, improving working conditions and benefits, and providing for well-deserved retirements.
Project 2025 discussion
PEF invited Joe Radosevich, vice president for campaigns and outreach at the Center for American Progress, to talk about Project 2025, a 900-page document published by the Heritage Foundation meant to serve as a road map for a future presidential administration.
Radosevich’s presentation highlighted the policy recommendations in the document and focused on the founders and funders of the project, such as the Freedom Foundation, which employs anti-union tactics in attempts to reduce union membership.
READ MORE: Project 2025 discussion highlights potential impact on PEF
Resolutions
Sixteen resolutions were considered by the Convention, out of a total of 26 submitted. Of the sixteen considered by the delegates, one was adopted as printed, four were adopted with amendments, eight were defeated, two were ruled out of order as unconstitutional, and one was withdrawn.
RESOLUTION ADOPTED AS PRINTED
Resolution No. 26 – PEF Union Political Action Committee (PAC) Money Donations Recaptured from Convicted Legislative Representatives
This resolution resolves that upon learning that a PEF endorsed political candidate or elected official committed a crime, and was later convicted of same, that PEF shall send a written letter to the political candidate or elected official, demanding the return of those monies. The resolution further provides that the PEF Legislative Department should draft a proposed letter for approval by the PEF Executive Board by the last meeting of 2024. Tthe last meeting of 2024 is scheduled for December 5 and 6, 2024.
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED WITH AMENDMENTS
Resolution No. 1 – Fighting Antisemitism
This resolution, as amended, provides that PEF will encourage our 50,000 members to tell New York’s leaders of the need to strongly and repeatedly condemn the surge in antisemitic and Islamophobic attacks.
Resolution No. 8 – Agencies Responsibility When They Outsource to the Business Service Center
This resolution, as amended, provides that PEF develop a policy and a communication that clarifies the expectation that agencies remain responsible and involved when outsourcing administrative duties to the BSC. These communications shall be made available to divisions and members so they can use them to communicate with agency management through the labor management process and other available means, ensuring that agencies continue to be responsible and involved in these administrative duties.
Resolution No. 10 – Enhancing Professional Examination Transparency, Occurrence, and Relevance
This resolution, as amended, provides that PEF should recommend the formation of a broader collaborative committee involving various agency representatives, the Department of Civil Service, and other relevant stakeholders to regularly review and dynamically update the schedule, skill inventory and examination content to ensure they remain aligned with current industry standards and technological advancements and better assess candidates’ professional, scientific, and technical competencies.
Resolution No. 11 – Article 33
This resolution, as amended, recommends that the PEF contract committee attempt to negotiate a 90-day time frame for employers to conclude an investigation.
RESOLUTIONS DEFEATED
Resolution No. 4 – Quarterly EOL Report
Resolution No. 5 – Providing Lists of Attendees Where PEF Resources are Expended
Resolution No. 6 – Convention and Executive Board Transcripts Available to PEF Members – Update to Existing Policy
Resolution No. 9 – PEF Dues Policy
Resolution No. 13 – Lawsuit Disclosures
Resolution No. 16 – Recording of Executive Board Meetings
Resolution No. 17 – Accurate and Explicit Financial Reporting
Resolution No. 19 – Convention Charity
RESOLUTIONS RULED OUT OF ORDER AS UNCONSTITUTIONAL
Resolution No. 3 – Term Limits for PEF Presidents
Resolution No. 14 – Term Limits
RESOLUTION WITHDRAWN
Resolution No. 18 – Unused Convention Seats