{"id":7737,"date":"2022-12-28T11:53:25","date_gmt":"2022-12-28T16:53:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pef.org\/?page_id=6582"},"modified":"2025-05-12T11:11:28","modified_gmt":"2025-05-12T15:11:28","slug":"get-to-know-your-union","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.pef.org\/get-to-know-your-union\/","title":{"rendered":"Get to Know Your Union"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-6759 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pef.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/PEF-Crest-NewColors.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/>What is PEF?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) is a union that represents approximately 55,000 state employees with professional, scientific, and technical titles. (Often referred to as the State\u2019s \u201cPS&amp;T bargaining unit.\u201d) <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pef.org\/get-to-know-your-union\/union-leadership\/\"><strong>Statewide Officers<\/strong><\/a> are elected every three years by the membership and work on behalf of members to run the union, which also employs <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pef.org\/get-to-know-your-union\/department-directors\/\"><strong>professional staff.<\/strong><\/a><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Our members work in more than 3,000 different titles in every state agency, including nurses, social workers, doctors, engineers, counselors, parole officers, lawyers, IT specialists, teachers, habilitation specialists, therapists, and many more.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pef.org\/get-to-know-your-union\/our-mission\/\">Our mission<\/a><\/strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> is simple: PEF exists to promote the welfare of its members with respect to all terms and conditions of employment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>==================<\/p>\n<h4><strong>If you are in immediate need of help from your union, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pef.org\/regions\/\">please visit this page to find your regional office<\/a> and call them for guidance on how to proceed. If you don&#8217;t know what region you are in, you may call our main office in Albany and we will be glad to assist you at (800) 342-4306.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>==================<\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Members Hold the Power<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">At every level of PEF, members are in charge. From the Local Shop Steward to Division or Regional Leaders to President, you and your coworkers govern this union.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Here\u2019s how the leadership structure breaks down:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><strong><i>Regions, Divisions, Councils<\/i><\/strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">:\u00a0 The state is broken down into geographical Regions 1 through 12. <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pef.org\/regions\/\">Here is a map<\/a><\/strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> that shows you which counties reside in which PEF Region.\u00a0 Within each Region are more than 200 Divisions, many of which are grouped by agency or worksite. Each Division has a Council, made up of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pef.org\/get-to-know-your-union\/executive-board-council-leaders\/\"><strong>Council Leader<\/strong><\/a>, Assistant Council Leader, Treasurer, Secretary and Stewards \u2013<\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pef.org\/about\/elections\/\"> all elected by members<\/a><\/strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. The members of the Council are aware of what challenges and issues you face and are your first resource for action.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pef.org\/get-to-know-your-union\/executive-board-council-leaders\/\"><i>Executive Board<\/i><\/a><\/strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>:<\/strong>\u00a0 This body of elected union leaders meets quarterly, making and amending union policies and keeping abreast of everything the union is doing for members.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pef.org\/pef-convention\/\"><strong><i>Convention<\/i><\/strong><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>:<\/strong>\u00a0 In the fall of each year, the highest governing body of PEF convenes to conduct the business of the union \u2013 from approving legislative agendas, to amending the <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pef.org\/pef_files\/constitution\/pef_constitution.pdf\">PEF Constitution<\/a><\/strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, to debating resolutions written by members for consideration. Delegates petition for a seat at Convention to ensure the needs of their coworkers are addressed.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<table style=\"width: 100%;border-collapse: collapse\" cellpadding=\"15\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"width: 46.9255%;vertical-align: middle;text-align: left\"><strong>Your dues at work<\/strong><\/th>\n<th style=\"width: 50.3775%;background-color: #00b5e5;border-color: #ffffff;vertical-align: middle;text-align: left\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff\"><strong>How PEF union dues work for you<\/strong><\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 46.9255%;vertical-align: top\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Anti-union groups make it their mission to convince current and potential union members that they will gain nothing by paying dues. That\u2019s not true.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pef.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/PEF-WhoIsOptOutToday87.pdf\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">We\u2019ve produced this document<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> to expose the lies spread by these groups.\u00a0 The bottom line is this:\u00a0 Your negotiated salary increases and your rights are protected and you are kept safe on the job because PEF members collectively bargain as a union.\u00a0 Our strength is in our numbers.\u00a0 The State can easily say no to one employee asking for something, but when tens of thousands demand change and work with their union, our voices are heard.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">So for less than 1% of your salary (0.9% to be exact!), you get health and safety protection on the job, fair contracts which govern your salary and terms and conditions of employment, staff that support you during grievances and disciplinary actions, a seat at the table on statewide and national issues that impact your agency, and so much more.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0 If you read all this and you aren&#8217;t yet a member, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pef.org\/join-nys-pef\/\">please visit this page for instructions on how to join PEF<\/a>.<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 50.3775%;background-color: #f0f0f0;border-color: #ffffff;border-style: solid\">Every dues dollar helps defend our voice, our values, and our union. PEF dues have not increased in decades. They are less than 1% of your salary.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00b5e5\"><strong>33%<\/strong><\/span> &#8211; Negotiating fair contracts that provide better pay and benefits and a secure retirement<\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #00b5e5\">16%<\/span><\/strong> &#8211; <span class=\"s1\">Empowering members<\/span> and Divisions with expertise, resources, and infrastructure in all regions of NYS<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00b5e5\"><strong>14%<\/strong><\/span> &#8211; Advocating for good government and against privatization to ensure cost-effective PEF skilled services for NYS taxpayers<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00b5e5\"><strong>14%<\/strong> <\/span>&#8211; Ensuring that <span class=\"s1\">PEF\u2019s voice carries power<\/span> and is heard and respected by Executive and Legislative Leaders<\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #00b5e5\">10%<\/span> <\/strong>&#8211; Providing Civil Service Enforcement, <span class=\"s1\">Workplace Health and Safety<b>, <\/b><\/span>Legal, and other support to help Members defend their rights<br \/>\nand enforce our contract<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00b5e5\"><strong>7%<\/strong> <\/span>&#8211; <span class=\"s1\">Amplifying PEF power <\/span>and influence by partnering with national and international unions and community leaders<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #00b5e5\"><strong>6%<\/strong><\/span> &#8211; Providing professional development, continuing education, training, and customized programs to PEF members in diverse, specialized sector<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>*Excerpted from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pef.org\/pef_files\/files\/pdf\/PEF-101-Handbook.pdf\">PEF 101 Handbook<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 46.9255%\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 50.3775%\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is PEF?\u00a0 The New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) is a union that represents approximately 55,000 state employees with professional, scientific, and technical titles. (Often referred to as&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-7737","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Get to Know Your Union - PEF<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pef.org\/get-to-know-your-union\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Get to Know Your Union\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"What is PEF?\u00a0 The New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) is a union that represents approximately 55,000 state employees with professional, scientific, and technical titles. 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