{"id":8965,"date":"2026-05-07T11:33:44","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T15:33:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/communicator.pef.org\/?p=8965"},"modified":"2026-05-08T11:12:40","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T15:12:40","slug":"presidents-message-may","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/communicator.pef.org\/issue\/volume-44-no-4\/presidents-message-may\/","title":{"rendered":"Happy Public Service Recognition Month!"},"content":{"rendered":"
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May is always one of the busiest on our union calendar and this issue of The Communicator<\/i> certainly reflects that. From a leadership conference for Regions 6 and 7<\/a>, to demanding the release of the comprehensive pay study<\/u><\/a>\u00a0that was commissioned more than a year ago, to the continued negotiations for a successor contract<\/u><\/a>, PEF is truly on the move!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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May is also the month when the labor movement recognizes all sorts of jobs \u2013 from nurses<\/a>\u00a0to correction officers to mental health professionals to teachers, and to everyone who has devoted their career to public service. I say it every month but thank you all for your dedication and professionalism. \u201cNew York works because we do,\u201d is more than just a catchy slogan. It is the essence of public service, and I am grateful that every May we remind everyone of that.<\/p>\n

It is ironic that while we celebrate the public servants who make New York work, we are witnessing familiar disfunction in Albany. On May 7, Governor Hochul held a press conference<\/a>\u00a0to announce \u201can agreement has been reached with legislative leaders on key priorities\u201d\u00a0in the State budget. Hours later, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie told the press \u201cthere is no budget deal<\/a>.\u201d The only thing I know at this point? When the details are released, your union will analyze the budget bills and provide members with an analysis of the impact they will have on state agencies and the work you do.<\/p>\n

As for that work, I was pleased to see the\u00a0opening of the first of a dozen computer-based civil service testing centers<\/a>\u00a0across the State in Cohoes. PEF has been advocating for years to modernize the merit and fitness system. This center \u2014 and 11 more to follow \u2014 \u00a0will make promotional exams more convenient and easier to administer. They are a key building block when it comes to recruiting and retaining the quality professionals New York needs in its workforce.<\/p>\n

In terms of the contract that you, the PEF workforce, deserve: The team continues to press hard for your priorities at the negotiating table. Affordability is the top concern, so we asked members in Buffalo and NYC to share their stories.<\/u><\/a>\u00a0Be on the lookout for rallies in your area as we escalate our demands for a fair contract!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Finally, a few words of appreciation for New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli<\/a>. He graciously answered a half dozen questions for us in this issue about his public service and the principles he follows when investing the New York State pension fund. I hope it informs members as they consider who to vote for in next month\u2019s primary, which will be held on June 23.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

In Unity,<\/p>\n

Wayne Spence
\nPEF President<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

May is always one of the busiest on our union calendar and this issue of The Communicator certainly reflects that. 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