October 29, 2024 — I’ve just returned home from this year’s PEF convention where I addressed the delegates at the invitation of President Wayne Spence. The focus of my speech was the similarities and differences between the PEF members and retirees, telling them that I’ve walked in their shoes and someday they’ll be walking in mine.
Retirees are a resource for the union because we contribute generously to COPE. We rally, phone bank and are always willing to lend a helping hand. We are a daytime army of 20,000-plus members. We have a very active and engaged membership. Therefore, I suggest that the Regional Coordinators of PEF reach out to retiree chapter members to learn more about your union’s history. Many locals have fascinating backstories, such as contract battles, strikes, or organizing struggles.
I mentioned to this year’s delegates that their pension fund is guaranteed by the New York state Constitution. But their health insurance is not. This is an area of interest where retirees and active members need to move together to maintain and preserve quality affordable health care for all of us. Currently, health insurance in retirement is administered by the New York State Department of Civil Service. The New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) is not constitutionally guaranteed.
Once a worker decides to retire, he or she has lots of decisions to make. I suggest to you as I suggested to the convention delegates, “Do your homework and make well informed decisions.”
Retirees are also politically engaged because we understand we’re affected by political decisions. We also know how important it is to support our union-endorsed candidates. During this year’s Convention, I and other retirees were phone banking for State Senator John Mannion, the PEF-endorsed candidate for the 22nd Congressional District.
Your union only endorses candidates who support our values and policies that best serve the members. John Mannion is a good example of a candidate that has had the union’s back. We support candidates who support a campaign of common cause over a chaos campaign regardless of party. We would rather have unity and cooperation with diversity and commitment. We need elected leaders who support working people, public employees and our union – not candidates who say one thing and when we check their voting record it doesn’t match their rhetoric.
I want to congratulate President Spence and his team on their reelection win as well as their continued support of retirees and a future where we can all have a secure retirement.
In Solidarity,
Jim Carr