State Civil Service exams postponed due to inclement weather

All state test centers for Civil Service exams will be closed Saturday, February 9 and Sunday, February 10 due to inclement weather. The exams are rescheduled for Saturday, February 16, and Sunday, February 17. If you were notified to take the exam, make sure to bring your original admission notice on the rescheduled date. For more details, visit the Civil Service website at www.cs.ny.gov.

PEF Women’s Program holds health fair

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

The fair is free, open to men and women, PEF members and the general public. The event will feature workshops ranging from healthy living to cancer care. A new addition to the fair’s activities is enrollment in a “biggest-loser” challenge. This is a 12-week program beginning March 2 and ending May 25. The cost is $25 and the individual who loses the most amount of weight will be recognized at the 2013 PEF convention.

If you plan to attend, please R.S.V.P. to Andrea Coton at (518) 785-1900 ext. 228 by February 27.

PEF Jewish Committee commemorates Purim, invites members to attend

The PEF Jewish Committee plans to celebrate Purim on Wednesday, February 27 at the PEF Region 10 Office at 225 Broadway in Manhattan from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

PEF members in the region are invited to attend and learn about the Jewish pirates of the Caribbean and to celebrate this holiday with traditional readings. The event will include a Kosher Purim feast from Noah’s Ark Deli. If you plan to share in the dinner, you must R.S.V.P. by Monday, February 25 by calling Pam or Gwenn at the PEF Region 10 Office at (212) 227-3132.

PEF to testify at Assembly hearing on Brooklyn’s health care issues

PEF President Susan Kent will testify before a state Assembly hearing on the health care crisis in Brooklyn Friday, February 8 at 10:30 a.m. The hearing will take place at the Brooklyn Borough Hall at 209 Joralemon Street. Kent, along with other PEF leaders, a coalition of labor unions, clergy and community activists, have been a driving force to keep SUNY Downstate Medical Center’s services available to all Brooklynites, as well as other medical facilities.

“PEF is the union that cares for and about the community,” Kent said. “What is happening in Brooklyn with health care is just one example on how this union will step in to do what is best to save vital community services, and state jobs that benefit local businesses.”

PEF analyzes the governor’s executive budget proposal, responds

PEF has analyzed the proposed Executive Budget for 2013-14 and has found areas of main concern. They includes the state’s reliance on the “design build” concept for infrastructure improvements, the expansion of the Close To Home initiative, the affect on the state workforce through planned attrition, agency closures and mergers, and the provision to create private hospitals in Brooklyn and in upstate New York, endangering SUNY hospitals.

PEF President Susan Kent said the union will remain vigilant in advocating for continuity of employment for all members and to protect the services they provide to New Yorkers.