• PEF commemorates Workers Memorial Day

    PEF commemorates Workers Memorial Day

    April 28, 2023 — PEF staff and union members gathered at PEF headquarters on Workers Memorial Day to remember workers who were killed or injured on the job, and to recommit to the fight for safe workplaces.   “Employers always say these are tragic, but unavoidable accidents,” PEF President Wayne Spence said outdoors at the...

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  • Open enrollment for dependent care, health care spending, and adoption accounts

    Open enrollment for dependent care, health care spending, and adoption accounts

    The 2023 open enrollment period for Dependent Care Advantage Account (DCAA), Health Care Spending Account (HCSA) and the Adoption Advantage Account runs from Nov. 1 to Dec. 12. These Flexible Spending Accounts save employees money by allowing payment for certain expenses with pre-tax dollars. PEF successfully negotiated for the state to increase its employer contribution...

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  • Temporary overtime rate increase for certain PEF titles at OMH hospitals

    Temporary overtime rate increase for certain PEF titles at OMH hospitals

    PEF has negotiated a temporary agreement to raise the overtime rate paid to certain titles at OMH hospitals.  The following PEF titles at OMH hospitals, excluding the Nathan Kline Institute, are eligible: Nurse 1, Nurse 2, Nurse 2 (Psychiatric), Nurse 3 (Psychiatric), Community Mental Health Nurse, Infection Control Nurse, Nurse Administrator 1 (Psychiatric) and Nurse Administrator...

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  • Telephone Town Hall about Vaccine/Test Mandate

    Telephone Town Hall about Vaccine/Test Mandate

    For members who could not attend on Oct. 14, a recording of the PEF Telephone Town Hall about the vaccine or test mandate is now available.

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  • Vaccine and/or testing mandates

    Vaccine and/or testing mandates

    As of Oct. 12, thousands more PEF members are subject to a vaccine or test mandate imposed by New York State. We’ve heard from many of you that your agency does not yet have a clear testing procedure in place, so we will be holding a telephone town hall on Oct. 14 at 6 p.m....

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  • PEF Declares Impasse on COVID Mandate

    PEF Declares Impasse on COVID Mandate

    Thousands of our PEF brothers and sisters are subject to a mandate to be vaccinated by September 27, 2021. After weeks of negotiations, the state has been unwilling to approve a negotiated framework we had with SUNY. To make matters worse, the state has also been slow to negotiate or offer an alternative agreement that...

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  • PEF’s Position on Vaccine Mandates and Telecommuting

    PEF’s Position on Vaccine Mandates and Telecommuting

    Sent on behalf of President Spence: PEF’s primary mission is improving the members’ terms and conditions of employment, including protecting members’ health and safety.  In this case we must balance conflicting interests of (1) protecting members’ health and safety and (2) protecting individuals’ desires to make their own choices and decisions.  PEF’s members are deeply...

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  • Report workplace discrimination to PEF

    Report workplace discrimination to PEF

    Are you facing discrimination in the workplace? Have you been singled out due to disability, race, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity? If so, PEF wants to know. A new Discrimination Intake Form allows members to report incidents for follow-up by PEF’s Joint Affirmative Action Committee and members are encouraged to keep the union informed...

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  • COVID-19: Information for PEF Members & Staff

    COVID-19: Information for PEF Members & Staff

    COVID-19 has impacted our lives in ways that until recently seemed unimaginable. PEF is working every day to hold New York State accountable as the pandemic continues. PEF members across the state need information and resources to help them stay safe. Find out what you need to know, what resources you have, and what you...

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