PEF leaders strive to improve communication with members

PEF President Susan Kent is encouraging members to read a message on the homepage of the PEF website. In part, the message asks council leaders to hold more membership meetings, and to let the regional coordinators know when the meetings are scheduled. Kent said PEF leaders want to covey the union’s budget priorities to members, as well as receiving member input.

PEF members are also being urged to provide current contact information to update the union’s files. Please call (518) 785-1900 ext. 211 and leave your name, home and email  address, and home and cell phone numbers, or send an email with that information to thecommunicator@pef.org.

PEF to provide testimony on workforce initiatives and budget concerns

PEF President Susan Kent is scheduled to testify before a state Assembly Ways and Means and Senate Finance Committees Wednesday, February 27 in Albany. Kent will discuss the union’s concerns about the governor’s Executive Budget and how privatization of state services would negatively affect SUNY Downstate Medical Center, teenagers from the state Office of Children and Family Services, and New Yorkers who suffer from mental health conditions or developmental disabilities.

PEF Region 5 members are invited to participate in St. Patrick’s Day parade

The Broome-Tioga Federation of Labor is asking union members to march in its annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade Saturday, March 2. PEF members are asked to wear their PEF pins, scarves and hats, and to bring local banners. The parade will assemble at 12:30 p.m. at the corner of Court and Fayette Streets in Binghamton. For more information, contact Bonnie Wilson at (607) 372-3153.

PEF Region 8 Women’s Program holds health fair

The PEF Region 8 Women’s Program is holding its fifth annual health fair Saturday, March 2 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the New York State United Teachers headquarters in Latham.

The event, free to the public and open to men and women, includes a variety of presenters and workshops that focus on healthy living, health care access, spine wellness, nutrition and exercise. A new component to the fair is a “biggest loser” weight challenge program. If you are interested, the challenge runs from March through May and costs $25.

If you would like to attend and enjoy lunch, that cost is $10. Please R.S.V.P. by February 27 by calling (518) 785-1900 ext. 228.

PEF Region 5 Women’s Program focuses on legislative agenda

PEF members in Region 5 are invited to attend the Women’s Program meeting Wednesday, February 20 at 5:30 p.m. at the Relief Pitcher on Conklin Ave. in Binghamton. Dinner is included and the meeting will focus on PEF’s legislative agenda and goals for 2013. Please R.S.V.P. to the Region 5 office at (607) 785-1699.