May 2, 2025 —
To the Editor:
January 14, 1973 – May 30, 2025: Not including my paper route, this is the duration of my official work life.
First night was at a Rochester Americans hockey game which ended in a tie. Memorable.
I started as a peanut vendor at the Rochester War Memorial, selling bags of peanuts for a quarter. I made three cents per bag and ended up earning $2,000 that year.
I did all sorts of work, and family always came first. Parents, siblings, friends. Along the way I worked many jobs, mostly non-union. Getting laid off three years in a row prompted me to Google “where to get a job where I won’t be laid off.” It is the worst feeling having to unwrap Christmas gifts and return them so the family could eat, and we could pay our bills.
New York State popped up as the first response. I told the Executive Board just that and also said that many people along the way gave me an incentive to be a bigger part of PEF.
So many people told me that the State would be a good job and provide a good pension. Pension and healthcare are two benefits that still hold true today.
A very smart person once said the Church is made up of God’s people. To that end, I think New York State is made up of union workers. We do nearly everything — from roadwork to licensing, healthcare management, and so on.
In earlier days many people did not need the union for anything short of annual salary increases and improved benefits. Now we are cognizant of many bad actors looking to alter this dream.
I thank the leadership of PEF for protecting me throughout my career. I tried to follow the “straight and narrow,” meaning I would agree to do what I am instructed to do (avoiding insubordination, essentially), and helping others who might have trouble doing what I do to avoid issues.
Of course I had my share of run-ins with people. Members of my organization wondering why I didn’t say something when I saw it (only to realize I had said something, and they didn’t see it).
I have learned a lot in my life. One of the greatest lessons is that it is best to give back whenever I can. Like buying a weekly breakfast for the striking Hilton hotel workers across from the OSC building, to marching whenever asked to march.
In retirement, I plan to take my wife to the beach whenever she wants. I plan to volunteer at the local hospital in whatever capacity they require. Comfort the sick, the lonely, just sit there if that is what they want.
I am never alone, and I will always be thankful that PEF lifted me up when I was at my lowest.
Many of you might say this is a disorganized mess of a letter, and you are probably correct. No one said all my marbles were in a neat row, or that they were all there. I do have a fairly good memory though.
I do the right thing as often as I can, and I am thrilled to be able to retire.
Best of luck to all of you who follow in my footsteps.
Joe Ugino
Albany
Editor’s Note: Joe Ugino, an Information Technology Specialist 2 with the Office of Information Technology Services, served the union throughout his career as an Executive Board member, Steward, and Convention delegate. Joe, thank you for your years of service to New York State and to PEF. We wish you all the best in your retirement!