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...
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PEF President Wayne Spence issued the following statement in reaction to the proposal by SUNY Upstate Medical University to buy Crouse Hospital, a non-profit facility in Syracuse. “SUNY Upstate Medical University’s bid to acquire Crouse Hospital presents a huge range of complex issues that must be closely considered. PEF deserves a seat at the table...
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The New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) denounces granting state parole to infamous Queens drug lord Lorenzo “Fat Cat” Nichols, who orchestrated the murder of Parole Officer Brian Rooney for $5,000 in blood money. Nichols ordered Rooney killed by two of his lieutenants, Howard “Pappy” Mason and Chris Williams. The “contract” was executed the...
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Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York Legislature have agreed on a $220 billion state spending plan for the 2022-23 fiscal year. This budget clearly provides what Governor Hochul termed a “blueprint” for our future. “I want to thank Governor Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Heastie for working with us to...
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PEF President Wayne Spence issued the following statement on Jan. 28, 2022: “PEF applauds New York Attorney General Letitia James’ common-sense approach to telecommuting. In a memo to her staff this week, James noted that offices statewide will be “at or below 50% capacity” unless operational needs dictate otherwise. She also committed to continuing in-office...
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PEF President Wayne Spence issued the following statement on Jan. 18, 2022, following the release of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s executive budget proposal: “In her first budget address, Governor Hochul clearly reflected the priorities of PEF members and all New Yorkers, especially around the need to provide additional resources and staff so our depleted state agencies...
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PEF President Wayne Spence issued the following statement on Jan. 11 in response to to New York’s COVID surge, booster mandates, and the lack of sufficient telecommuting: “New York State is inexplicably insisting on a mad dash to force workers into the workplace during the worst winter surge of the COVID pandemic. By the State’s...
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Albany, N.Y. – The Public Employees Federation, the Communications Workers of America, and the New York State Nurses Association issued the following statement on Jan. 5, 2022, in response to Governor Hochul’s State of the State address: “We applaud Governor Hochul for recognizing that our frontline healthcare workers are in desperate need of additional resources...
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PEF President Wayne Spence issued the following statement regarding Gov. Kathy Hochul’s recent executive order allowing the NYS Legislature to meet virtually until Jan. 15: “The strong and decisive action taken by the Governor to protect the legislative branch of government employees should also be extended to the executive branch. The Governor understood that by...
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