The COVID-19 crisis threatens to put higher education dreams in jeopardy for many aspiring college students, with the unemployment rate more than doubled and state budgets threatening the future of public universities. “After years of declines in state funding driving greater student debt, the recent leveling out of student debt shows the value of investments...
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PEF Members: PEF is taking action to address member dissatisfaction with the dental insurance provided by New York State. For years there have been complaints about the dental benefit, not only by the PEF membership, but by the membership of other participating unions as well as management-confidential employees. A major problem with the current dental...
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For more information: Communications Director Rob Merrill, rmerrill@pef.org ALBANY, NY – The Public Employees Federation (PEF) filed a lawsuit on Jan. 15 against New York State and three state agencies, the Department of Civil Service (DCS), the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) and the Office of Mental Health (OMH), asserting that...
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Tonight, President-elect Joe Biden outlined his bold $1.9 trillion “American Rescue Plan,” which is designed to defeat the coronavirus, support American families hurt by the economic fallout, and jump start the economy so the nation can move forward. PEF fully supports this comprehensive action plan, which includes almost $350 billion to help states and localities...
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As New York ramps up vaccine distribution, the PEF Health & Safety Department has put together a fact sheet providing answers to questions many of our members have. Please click here to read the fact sheet and contact healthandsafety@pef.org if you have any questions.
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Gov. Andrew Cuomo presented the first of several State of the State messages on Monday, January 11, with additional remarks expected throughout the week. PEF President Wayne Spence said, “While the State of the State is usually short on detail, we very much support the priorities laid out in his first presentation. We agree that...
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For more information: Communications Director Rob Merrill, rmerrill@pef.org ALBANY, N.Y. – With COVID-19 cases surging in New York State correctional facilities, PEF President Wayne Spence called out the state on the ill-timed decision to close three facilities later this year and urged voluntary COVID vaccinations be made available for all Department of Corrections...
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PEF President Wayne Spence contacted Acting DOCCS Commissioner Anthony Annucci today demanding answers about the department’s statewide vaccination plan. This as The City reports the vaccine is being administered to staff within the NYC jail system. PEF believes any DOCCS employee who volunteers to be vaccinated should be. The...
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Albany, N.Y. — PEF President Wayne Spence issued the following statement on New York’s announcement that they will close the Watertown and Gowanda Correctional Facilities as well as the Clinton Annex, effective March 30, 2021: “We are disappointed that Gov. Cuomo chose to close these three facilities at this time. We understand the fiscal crisis the...
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