QUEENS, N.Y. — New York State parole officers rallied outside Rikers Island on Oct. 7, 2021, to denounce the recently signed “Less is More” parole reform law and call out the serious repercussions for community safety, parole supervision and crime victims. “Bottom line – the “Less” in this law is public safety; the “More” is...
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On Sept. 17, PEF filed a declaration of impasse with the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) requesting a mediator be assigned to facilitate impact bargaining with the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations (GOER) over the Sept. 27 vaccine mandate imposed by the New York State Department of Health on patient-facing healthcare workers. The declaration was...
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PEF members, retirees and other disabilities services organizations joined State Sen. John Mannion (D-50th District) on September 14 outside the State Capitol for a rally to spotlight the lack of adequate funding, services and staff at the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). A 25-year veteran of OPWDD, PEF Vice President Randi DiAntonio spoke for...
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ALBANY, N.Y. – PEF President Wayne Spence issued the following statement in response to Gov. Hochul’s suspension of the statewide hiring freeze on Sept. 16: “PEF applauds Gov. Hochul’s decision to suspend the hiring freeze that has contributed to critical staffing shortages throughout the state workforce. Now it’s time to fill the more than 5,000...
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PEF President Wayne Spence issued the following statement after Gov. Kathy Hochul was sworn in on Aug. 24, 2021, as the 57th governor of New York: (Hans Pennink/AP Photo) “PEF looks forward to working with Gov. Kathy Hochul and her leadership team as our members continue to deliver the essential services that keep the state running....
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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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The New York State Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is sponsoring two webinars on the New York State Deferred Compensation Plan (NYSDCP) on July 13. The NYSDCP is a supplemental retirement plan, also known as a 457(b) plan, and the mission is to help state and local public employees achieve their retirement savings goals and help...
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PEF’s statewide labor-management and health and safety committees must move very quickly to influence return-to-work and future telecommuting policies before a July 31 deadline. That was the urgent message they received at an all-day Zoom meeting on June 25 with PEF leaders and staff. “We have a lot of labor-management work to do in the...
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Another session of the New York State Legislature ended shortly before dawn on June 11 and the PEF Legislative department has compiled a summary of the major bills supported by the union that passed both houses. Members can read it here. If you’re interested in joining your local Political Action Committee, please visit our...
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