Jim Sheedy was a founder of PEF. He served in every statewide office of the union from vice president to secretary-treasurer and president. He died August 14 at his home in Tucson, Arizona. He was 85. No person has served as an officer of PEF longer than Sheedy. He was a vice president in the...
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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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As the Delta variant of the coronavirus continues to spread and New York has fully implemented its various vaccine and vaccine/test mandates, President Spence asked the PEF Health & Safety team to share the latest science-based information for members about vaccines and variants. These two fact sheets were distributed to PEF leaders in September 2021...
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The following was communicated to PEF members on Aug. 6 from PEF President Wayne Spence and Secretary-Treasurer Joe Donahue: PEF will not be participating in the New York State Fair in Syracuse this summer. We wanted to inform you of this decision and let you know our rationale. We did not make this decision lightly,...
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The sudden August 5 passing of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, 72, sent waves of shock and grief through the ranks of organized labor everywhere. Many PEF members and retirees may remember his appearance as the keynote speaker at PEF’s convention in 1996. At that time, Trumka was the secretary-treasurer of the AFL-CIO, and the former...
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With the 2019-2023 PS&T contract now signed, a variety of training options are now available to PEF members. The following Public Service Workshop Programs are being held beginning later this month and throughout the fall. All of them are virtual workshops. Please click the links and follow the registration instructions if you are interested. And...
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PEF President Wayne Spence took the oath of office for his third term on Monday, sworn in by AFT President Randi Weingarten during a ceremony at PEF headquarters in Latham, N.Y. Secretary-Treasurer Joe Donahue was also sworn in for his first term, as well as new Vice President Darlene Williams and returning Vice Presidents Randi...
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Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced today that New York will require all state employees be vaccinated or get tested regularly starting this Labor Day. PEF recognizes the importance of COVID-19 vaccination, but maintains such a requirement should be discussed between the union and the state before being rolled out. “PEF encourages our members to be vaccinated,”...
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PEF members turned out in force to ratify the 2019-2023 PS&T collective bargaining agreement, with 56 percent of the membership (28,000 members) voting. Ninety-six percent of those members voted in favor of the recently negotiated agreement. “Despite an unprecedented pandemic and with New York on ‘pause,’ the contract team worked tirelessly to defend the rights of members and...
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