• ‘You think this could never happen in my town’

    ‘You think this could never happen in my town’

    PEF Administrator of Membership Benefits Stephanie McLean-Beathley grew up three minutes away from the Tops store on Jefferson Avenue in Buffalo. So when news broke on May 14 that multiple people were shot and killed there, her phone lit up. “I was at a graduation in Buffalo and people started texting me,” she said. “Once...

    Read More
  • PEF statement on the Buffalo tragedy

    PEF statement on the Buffalo tragedy

    PEF President Wayne Spence sent the following message to members of the union on May 18. PEF was devastated to learn about the tragic events that occurred in Buffalo last Saturday. Our hearts are breaking for the victims, families, and community. Our prayers and thoughts are with all of Buffalo. We were also shocked to...

    Read More
  • Certification & license renewal reimbursement has increased

    Certification & license renewal reimbursement has increased

    Are you a teacher, nurse, engineer or other professional whose state job requires a license or certification? If you paid for certification and license renewals required for your job, you may be eligible for reimbursement up to $200 per fiscal year under the Certification and License Renewal Fee Reimbursement Pilot Program negotiated between PEF and...

    Read More
  • The Communicator: Celebrating PEF nurses and engaging all members

    The Communicator: Celebrating PEF nurses and engaging all members

    May 2022 Issue of the PEF Communicator is now available!! Find out about our Nurses-week press conference, PEF membership blitz, quarterly election results, end of session advocacy and other latest news

    Read More
  • PSWP professional writing course for non-native English speakers

    PSWP professional writing course for non-native English speakers

    The Public Service Workshops Program will offer a training on professional writing for non-native English speakers from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on June 14 and 15. Professional Writing: Composition for Non-Native English Speakers is a two-session virtual workshop that provides participants with an overview of essential writing skills that include developing and organizing ideas,...

    Read More
  • Legislators support PEF nurses’ call to boost pay, staffing

    Legislators support PEF nurses’ call to boost pay, staffing

    The state Legislature was in session Tuesday, May 10, but at least 16 lawmakers ducked out of meetings at lunchtime to join PEF nurses at a press conference outside the Capitol. “Our nurses made a strong case for better staffing and better pay to meet a nursing shortage in state health care facilities that has...

    Read More
  • Social workers, sign up for PSWP trainings on patients with PTSD and eating disorders in adolescents

    Social workers, sign up for PSWP trainings on patients with PTSD and eating disorders in adolescents

    PEF members can sign up for virtual Public Service Workshops Program trainings on facilitating health in traumatized individuals and eating disorder prevention for children and teens.  Facilitating Healing in the Traumatized Individuals: Safety and Stabilization Work for PTSD will be held from 9 a.m. to Noon on June 9. This workshop is intended to enhance...

    Read More
  • PEF reflects on, mourns lives of members killed on the job

    PEF reflects on, mourns lives of members killed on the job

    In observance of Workers Memorial Day, PEF staff and union members gathered at the memorial outside PEF Headquarters in Latham to mourn those who have lost their lives at work.  “It’s been a tough year,” said President Wayne Spence. “This is a day we observe every year in tribute to those who have lost their...

    Read More
  • Capital Region members: That might be PEF knocking on your door!

    Capital Region members: That might be PEF knocking on your door!

    Dozens of volunteers from PEF and local American Federation of Teachers (AFT) unions throughout the country converged on Albany this week to take part in a week-long membership blitz to build PEF membership and unity. “It’s important to reach out to the people we represent, to provide updates about important issues such as the state...

    Read More