October 29, 2025 — PEF’s 47th Annual Convention saw nearly 700 delegates take part in plenary sessions and workshops at the Olympic Center and various hotels around Lake Placid. More than 200 of those delegates participated for the first time.
We caught up with a few of the delegates to get a sense of why they chose to join the union’s highest decision-making body this year.
“I really want to help contribute and to effect positive change within the union,” said Aiesha Quick, a parole officer in Queens. “I learned a lot about the resolutions and the voting process.”
Quick has been a PEF member for 10 years and has worked for DOCCS for about four years. She is already involved in Health and Safety and Labor-Management meetings at her office and felt that attending Convention would be a chance to meet new members.
Adam Warrenchak is a Contract Management Specialist with the Office of the State Comptroller in Albany. He has been a PEF member for seven years and with the Comptroller’s Office for about two-and-a half-years. He was recently elected to the PEF Executive Board.
“Convention is where the entire membership really has a voice,” he said. “I wanted to be here because it’s one of the rare times when so many PEF members from across the state come together. It is a chance to hear different perspectives, share concerns from my division, and learn from others who face different challenges.”
Joseph Moynihan works at the Department of Veterans Services in Buffalo. He is also an Executive Board member. As a board member, he was familiar with parliamentary procedure and PEF’s adherence to Robert’s Rules of Order, but with hundreds of other delegates in the room, the rules looked very different.
“I did not recognize how big the scale was going to be, so it was definitely a new experience to recognize just how many people are involved in this process, as well as the sheer consolidation of everyone throughout the state,” he said.
First-time delegates had the goals of their members from their home regions in mind as they traveled to Lake Placid. For Sandy Darby-Roberts, an Employment Counselor with the Department of Labor in Region 11, the contract was top of mind for her constituents.
“Everyone is worried about raises and the federal cuts. Those were some of the major issues that my members were concerned about,” said Darby-Roberts.
She was given some hope after hearing about New York’s ability to absorb some of the impacts from those cuts from speakers at convention.
“I think it’s great, the fact that there’s a little bit of a cushion—my grandma would always say that it’s good to keep a little something for a rainy day—so it’s great that we have that to lean on,” she said.
Moynihan feels the same but added that he thinks the state has the back of both state and federal workers during this unprecedented time.
“There are obviously some concerns with federal deficits affecting us in the state, but from what I have heard over the last couple of days, I feel pretty confident we’ll be able to weather that,” he said. “And then make sure we still have the necessary steps in place to ensure safety, welfare, fair wages and respect for our workers.”
Each delegate said that they learned a lot and even had some fun at Convention. Quick said although she didn’t get too involved on the convention floor, she looks forward to coming back next year.
“I think it was an absolute fabulous experience, I learned so much about Robert’s Rules of Order, I did candle making, we had boots on the ground—there were so many other activities to do—it was a great experience, and I would definitely do it again.”
Warrenchak hopes that even more people get involved next year when Convention takes place in Niagara Falls.
“The union is only as strong as its members,” he said. “When more people get involved, we get more perspectives and stronger decisions. Even if someone doesn’t run for a delegate or board seat, attending meetings or helping on a committee makes a difference. The more members we have engaged, the more power we have at the bargaining table and in shaping our future.”
Editor’s Note: The 48th PEF Convention will take place Oct. 18-21, 2026, in Niagara Falls. Keep an eye on your email and the PEF website for information in the Spring of 2026 about how to petition to become a delegate.