You may have heard discussion of Empire Plan benefit changes effective July 1, 2023, and an associated special option transfer period in June 2023. These changes and option transfer period do NOT impact active PEF members since we are still in negotiations with the state. The changes are a result of collectively bargained modifications to...
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PEF members in applicable titles who need continuing education hours can take advantage of the Public Service Workshops program. Visit this page to register for the latest offerings and registration instructions.
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On the first anniversary of the May 14, 2022, massacre in Buffalo, PEF joins in solidarity with the Western New York Area Labor Federation, whose president shared this message with members: Brothers, Sisters, and Siblings, On the anniversary of the racist, white supremacist massacre that occurred at Tops on Buffalo’s East Side, I wanted to...
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President Wayne Spence hosted a telephone town hall May 4 to update members on legislative victories in this year’s New York state budget, the underhanded tactics of anti-union groups, and the ongoing contract negotiations. But first, he shared PEF’s mission statement, something he said should be looked at more frequently. “If we don’t know what...
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Thanks to the late budget negotiations, State senators and Assemblymembers have just days to debate additional bills addressing the needs of New Yorkers. PEF’s legislative team is hard at work pushing the union’s priorities, but as always, lawmakers tend to listen to the people who actually elect them! So please take a moment today to...
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PEF President Wayne Spence and more than a dozen PEF parole officers gathered outside the city court in Cohoes, N.Y., on May 4, 2023. Spence delivered remarks regarding the case of parolee Taquan Hassell, who was charged with Unlawful Imprisonment and Assault in the third degree of a parole officer. The officer is a member...
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The Office of Employee Relations (OER), in accordance with Article 15 of the PEF Collective Bargaining Agreement, is offering a Leadership Development Program (LDP) for employees in the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (PS&T) Unit at Grade 23 and above. The program provides employees with the skills to lead in New York State government. ...
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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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From PEF President Wayne Spence on April 28, 2023 — “PEF has been following the budget negotiation process closely and is pleased that the Governor and the Legislature have reached a conceptual agreement on a final state budget. While there are no budget bills in print yet, the PEF Legislative Office will be monitoring developments...
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