{"id":3865,"date":"2023-10-24T14:11:48","date_gmt":"2023-10-24T18:11:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/communicator.pef.org\/?p=3865"},"modified":"2023-10-24T14:45:21","modified_gmt":"2023-10-24T18:45:21","slug":"convention-delegates-review-the-wins-of-2023-and-chart-a-course-of-action-for-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/communicator.pef.org\/issue\/volume-41-no-8\/convention-delegates-review-the-wins-of-2023-and-chart-a-course-of-action-for-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Convention Delegates review the wins of 2023 and chart a course of action for 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"2023<\/p>\n

October 25, 2023 —<\/em> The 45<\/span>th<\/span> Annual PEF Convention kicked off October 15 with more than 500 delegates gathering in Syracuse to conduct the business of the union, including review of the Secretary-Treasurer’s and Trustees\u2019 reports; setting the state and federal legislative agendas; debating an amendment to the PEF Constitution; and considering a variety of resolutions impacting PEF policies.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"2023Constitutional amendment<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Delegates approved a Constitutional Amendment that lowers the signature requirement for election petitions to \u201c5% for the membership of the appropriate constituency,\u201d a reduction from the previous 10%.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Those in favor of the amendment cited telecommuting as an impediment to petitioning, with some candidates having to travel large distances and to many small offices to fulfill petitioning requirements. Some said it was difficult to gain access to secure facilities and staff in the field.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe need this for the survival of the union,\u201d one said. \u201cWe need to improve participation. Modernize or die.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Those in opposition said union leaders should be putting in more effort, going from one end of their constituency to another, and the body shouldn\u2019t be decreasing requirements for elected office.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The amendment is effective on Dec. 15, 2023, 60 days after Convention delegates approved it.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"OctoberLabor leaders in the house<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Four of the top labor leaders in the world addressed the delegates on October 16, a clear recognition of the strength of PEF as a leading public-sector union. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

SEIU President Mary Kay Henry, AFT President Randi Weingarten, National AFL-CIO President Liz Schuler, and NYS AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento applauded PEF members and urged them to continue to advocate for themselves.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow incredible is it that we had at our Convention three of the most powerful leaders in organized labor in this country, and the fourth highest in New York state, representing 17 million union members,\u201d said Vice President Randi DiAntonio. \u201cOur power, our visibility, our credibility and what we can accomplish is due to the relationships President Spence has built.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Click here for the story about their remarks<\/a>.<\/p>\n

State of the Union<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

President Wayne Spence took the podium to deliver his State of the Union address October 16, highlighting PEF’s successes since last Convention, including membership increases, community activism and engagement, an overwhelmingly ratified contract without givebacks, and more.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPEF is more than 50,000 strong and we are still growing,\u201d he said. \u201cIn fact, if we keep adding new members, there may come a time in the not-too-distant future when we call ourselves New York\u2019s <\/span>largest<\/span><\/i> public-sector union.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Click here to read more about the State of the Union address<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"JoePEF\u2019s financial position<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Secretary-Treasurer Joe Donahue reported on the state of the union\u2019s finances, addressing delegates\u2019 concerns about increased program expenditures and investments.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a very eventful year,\u201d he said. \u201cI can report to you that PEF is in very good financial shape, and I intend to keep it there. My office continues to create, as well as update, policies and procedures as our needs and circumstances require. I meet quarterly with the Budget Advisory and Financial Compliance Committee, and as needed with our PEF Trustees, to find common ground and present any changes to the Executive Board for discussion and, if necessary, action.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Donahue said the union\u2019s net assets decreased by approximately $364,000 in fiscal year 2023, citing increased spending as PEF returns to pre-COVID practices and expenses, such as in-person meetings and the staffing expenses associated with that.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dues income increased significantly, due in part to the positive trend of increasing membership as PEF Organizing steps up efforts to sign up new members across the state.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe union\u2019s cash and investment positions will be able to support the union in overcoming any outside threats in the years to come,\u201d he said. \u201cMembership continues to increase as the union continues to climb back to pre-pandemic levels.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"RandiLegislative agendas<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

VP DiAntonio, the chair of the Statewide Political Action Committee, shared legislative wins since the last Convention and presented the proposed 2024 federal and state legislative agendas.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI am beyond thrilled to report that our collective efforts to fund our future in 2023 resulted in many legislative and budgetary wins,\u201d DiAntonio said. \u201cOur public service campaign struck a chord with New Yorkers, it struck a chord with the governor, and it resonated with the state legislature.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

PEF bills signed into law in 2023 included a bill adding teeth to the nurse mandatory overtime law by requiring penalties for employers who violate it; a bill eliminating \u201ccaptive audience\u201d meetings when management tries to address topics that may make some employees uncomfortable; and a bill expanding notice for civil service exams. Legislation requiring public inspectors at taxpayer-funded capital project sites awaits signing by the governor.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOur advocacy in the political arena helps us ensure that vital essential services get the funding needed to serve the people of New York,\u201d DiAntonio said. \u201cThrough our political action, we fight back against bad budgets and bad policy.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Click here for the federal agenda and here for the state<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Deciding on resolutions<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Delegates took up nine of the 27 resolutions on the agenda, adopting seven of them and voting down one.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Under Civil Service Issues, delegates adopted resolutions pertaining to the following:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n