PEF members are urged to take action against proposed state budget cuts

PEF leaders are urging members to help stop the attacks on state employees, the services they provide and benefits they earn. Visit the PEF website (pef.org) and click on the “Take Action” button to participate by sending a letter to your legislator and other things you can do.

PEF leaders are also asking members to pencil in Thursday, March 15 on their calendars. A budget fight-back rally is being planned for that day. More details will be made available on the PEF website in the near future.

PEF’s Women’s Program holds seminar

The PEF Women’s Program invites members throughout the state to a seminar Saturday, March 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at PEF Headquarters in Latham.

PEF Region 10 Coordinator and Women’s Program Chair, Vernetta Chesimard, said the event will include a workshop on “Women In the Labor Movement,” “Stress Management,” and “The Many Roles of a PEF Steward.” The cost is $15 which includes lunch. Hotel rooms are available at $127.68 at the Hilton Garden Inn for those who would like to arrive the day before. For more information or to R.S.V.P., send an email to  or Angel Cook at .

PEF Region 9 Coordinator testifies at a joint legislative budget hearing

PEF’s Region 9 Coordinator Vivian Street will testify before a 2012 joint legislative budget hearing Thursday, February 23 between 4 and 7 p.m. The hearing will take place at the Suffern Free Library’s meeting room at 210 Lafayette Ave. in Suffern, NY.

Parole officers plan to lobby lawmakers February 29

Parole officers in PEF Division 236 will be speaking with lawmakers in Albany Wednesday, February 29. Parole officers will talk with legislators about the need to keep trained peace officers in all stages of parole supervision, with adequate staffing, as well as the need for legislation to give parole officers benefits comparable to other law enforcement officers.

PEF testifies at mental hygiene hearing

PEF Vice President Pat Baker will testify at a state Assembly Ways and Means Committee and Senate Finance Committee on mental hygiene Tuesday, February 14 at the Legislative Office Building in Albany. The hearing starts at 9:30 a.m. Baker is expected to tell legislators why the state’s plan to implement Medicaid managed care in mental hygiene agencies will diminish quality services and unravel the safety net for the underprivileged who need care. Baker will also explain how the state’s plan to close the Kingsboro Psychiatric Center in Brooklyn will leave the community without proper care for those who suffer with mental illness.