Telecommuting, COVID updates at PEF Town Hall

Posted on: June 8, 2021 by ccanham

Telecommuting, COVID updates | As of the close of business on July 2, the emergency statewide telecommuting agreement will end and members are advised to contact their health and safety and labor/management representatives if they need further accommodations.

“Forty-two percent of PEF members never stopped working during the pandemic,” said PEF President Wayne Spence at an all-member Telephone Town Hall on June 3. “But more than half have benefitted from telecommuting. Telecommuting expires July 2 and there is no indication that the state will unilaterally extend the agreement. They are leaving it up to state agencies to meet their operating needs.”

Members should document their requests for telecommuting, but should not wait to make health and safety complaints until they return to work, he advised.

“Our best advice is members should be prepared to return to work on a full-time basis beginning July 3,” said Statewide Director of Field Services Katie Vorwald. “Talk to your supervisors and PEF representatives about any concerns. The sooner you start that process the better. PEF is advocating for telecommuting on as broad a scale as practicable across the state at the labor/management committee level. Let your chair know why you think telecommuting should continue and give examples of how it has helped your work”

Safety in the workplace
Despite a 0.44 percent positivity rate statewide and 59 days straight of hospitalization declines (as of June 3), PEF continues to advocate for strong workplace safety guidelines as members return to work.

“PEF is advocating for a permanent OSHA standard for airborne infectious diseases,” said PEF Health and Safety Specialist Shawn Bobb. “There are checklists for return to work available on the PEF website and PEF continues to push for all COVID precautions in the workplace — voluntary vaccinations, mandatory face masks, proper ventilation, low workplace density, hand washing and frequent cleaning and disinfection.”

Anyone with concerns about safety in their workplace can contact PEF’s Health and Safety Department at healthandsafety@pef.org.

Going forward
The danger is not over, Spence reminded attendees, with three PEF members passing away in May from COVID.

“We’re not out of the woods yet,” he said. “But, we are in a better place than one year ago.”

Spence thanked members for keeping New York running amid unprecedented times and pledged to continue pushing for hazard pay to reward their sacrifice throughout the pandemic.

“They have yet to even acknowledge the hard work PEF members have accomplished in the past year,” Spence said. “But, we know New York would not work without PEF. I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the work that you do.”

Memrorial Day

Posted on: May 26, 2021 by ccanham

On this Memorial Day 2021, we remember and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. From our PEF family to yours, thank you!

Statement from PEF President Spence on “Safe Staffing” Healthcare Bills

Posted on: May 5, 2021 by ccanham

The Public Employees Federation applauds the passage of the “safe staffing” bills by the New York State Legislature. We thank the Democratic majorities in both houses and particularly the bill sponsors, Senator Gustavo Rivera and Assemblymember Aileen Gunther.

COVID-19 showed the world how critical New York’s nurses are when it comes to caring for the state’s most vulnerable. During the first surge, SUNY Downstate was the only hospital treating COVID patients in the entire borough of Brooklyn! Public sector nurses and direct care workers were rightfully hailed as heroes by Gov. Cuomo and deserve to work in an environment that offers the protection afforded by enforceable staffing plans and mandated staffing ratios in intensive and critical care units.

On behalf of PEF’s 50,000 members statewide, I urge Gov. Cuomo to swiftly sign these bills into law and urge legislative leaders and the governor to expand these sensible measures to include other agencies where chronic understaffing is an issue, including the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, the Office of Mental Health, the Office of Children and Family Services and the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities.

PEF Does It – Fund Our Future

Posted on: April 30, 2021 | Updated: December 1, 2021 by ccanham

The New York State Public Employees Federation represents 50,000 workers across the state who provide the public services New Yorkers rely on every day.

PEF presents arguments on key issues as negotiations resume

Posted on: April 29, 2021 by ccanham

The PEF contract team, joined by President Wayne Spence, met virtually with state negotiators April 27 to resume bargaining on a successor agreement after the state postponed talks for more than a year due to COVID-19.

“We want to get this going as expeditiously as possible,” Spence said. “PEF members have been without a contract long enough and it is time to get down to business.”

“PEF presented arguments on a number of priority articles, including hazardous duty pay, across-the-board wage increases, retroactivity, telecommuting, and performance awards,” added PEF Contract Team Chair Darlene Williams. “We’re looking forward to getting into some hard bargaining with the state.”

Williams said both sides came to the table recognizing and respecting the hard work of PEF members during the pandemic.

“The atmosphere in the room was one of mutual respect,” Williams said. “We presented a video of Governor Cuomo making our case for us, praising essential workers for their efforts during the pandemic. PEF members are essential workers. We deserve a fair contract that respects our members’ sacrifices and hard work to keep New York running.”

The team will return to the main table next month and has several dates scheduled throughout May to move things along.

PEF President Wayne Spence on early retirement incentives for state workers

Posted on: April 28, 2021 | Updated: December 1, 2021 by ccanham

At a Workers Memorial Day ceremony April 28 at PEF headquarters in Albany, President Wayne Spence answers a reporter’s question about the early retirement incentive (ERI) bills under discussion before the NYS legislature.

PEF observes Workers Memorial Day; highlights importance of health and safety, safe staffing

Posted on: April 28, 2021 | Updated: April 28, 2021 by ccanham

Under clear skies, PEF leaders gathered at the memorial outside PEF Headquarters to honor the 33 members who passed away since April 2020, reading aloud their names and observing a moment of silence.

“In 1970, the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) went into effect, promising every worker the right to a safe job,” said PEF President Wayne Spence. “Workers Memorial Day is a day to reflect and mourn those who have lost their lies at work in the past year – and to renew our fight for safer jobs in the future.

“Each year, thousands of workers are killed and millions more suffer injury or illness on the job,” he said. “Too many workers die from preventable hazards and many more get sick from exposure to toxic chemicals. Some are in danger due to short staffing at various levels. This must stop.”

Spence noted that unions have fought, and will continue to fight, for safety measures for all workers. In the first months of the pandemic, PEF established an emergency telecommuting agreement, gathered and distributed personal protective equipment (PPE) to frontline workers, and paid for hotel rooms for members afraid to bring the virus home with them.

“PEF spent over $300,000 to secure PPE and housing for frontline workers,” Spence said. “We secured housing so members could avoid bringing home the virus to their loved ones. On a number of occasions, this happened. We had parole officers who brought home the virus and it took the lives of grandparents who were living with them.”

COVID-19 shed a stark light on the importance of workplace safety.

“The pandemic has shown that much still needs to be done,” Spence said. “Workplace exposures, where workers spend extended time around coworkers or the public, in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces, have been a major source of COVID-19 exposure. This is preventable.

“Our members have gone above and beyond to keep New York running during this pandemic,” Spence said. “We must never forget their sacrifice and we must continue to press for safety in the workplace.”

PEF’s staff union, USW Local 9265, continues to work diligently to keep members safe and informed about their rights.

“Today we remember all the lives lost throughout this past year,” USW Treasurer Tamara Carney said. “Although this is a sad time, we must remember the importance of unions. During this pandemic, USW Local 9265 members continued to represent, support and assist PEF members throughout New York State. This past year, we have seen unity in action.”

Staff continues to meet with members, assist with questions on their contractual rights, provide PPE to essential workers, train union leaders, and interact with members regarding their available benefits.

PEF takes the health and safety of its staff very seriously, said PEF Secretary-Treasurer Kay Alison Wilkie.

“PEF and I are very proud of the building improvements we’ve made here at PEF headquarters, especially in light of this pandemic, to ensure the health and safety of our staff.”

Issues with recent early retirement incentive legislation tied in with the theme of the day, as Spence noted faults with the bill, which would allow the state to cherry-pick who qualifies and which includes no provision requiring the state to fill the vacated positions.

“There are currently about 5,000 empty PEF jobs across the state,” Spence said. “PEF members are now doing jobs that used to be done by two or three people. This has been steadily strangling the state workforce and, while this proposed early retirement incentive legislation appears friendly on the surface, it is dangerous if enacted as written.

“There must be a provision that mandates each retirement position be backfilled,” he said. “This bill also allows certain entities to opt in, which means agencies and managers will pick and choose who is allowed to retire early. Some state employees might think they are eligible based on their years of service and then find out that their agency or manager is not participating.

“This proposal as currently written would exclude thousands of eligible members,” Spence said. “Essentially, giving more ‘zeroes’ to so many deserving heroes.”

By KATE MOSTACCIO

Faulty Cuomo Bridge Bolts Not the Only Crack in New York’s Infrastructure

Posted on: April 27, 2021 by ccanham

The following commentary by PEF President Wayne Spence ran in the Albany Times Union on April 27 and is republished here for our members who don’t subscribe to the newspaper.

President Joe Biden’s American Jobs Plan would be a much-needed shot in the arm for this country’s ailing roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure. Here in New York, our drinking water systems alone need an estimated $22.8 billion in investment.

But the growing controversy over faulty bolts on the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge reveals that state lawmakers still have work to do. More than half of New York’s bridges are at least 75 years old, ranking us second to last in the nation in functionally obsolete bridges. Over 420 of our dams are considered to be high-hazard potential. New York City’s subway system is only getting older. Over a quarter of New York’s roads are in poor condition, costing each driver $625 per year.

Simply put, New York’s infrastructure is stuck in the 20^th century. And that means New Yorkers are at risk every time we drive, turn on our kitchen faucet, or step on a subway car.

One crucial step in turning things around is reforming the way the state ensures our infrastructure is strong and safe. Right now, state agencies can hire a single company to design, build, and even inspect new construction and repairs. This means multiple billion-dollar projects are currently being built or have been completed by a single contractor, with no on-site oversight by state inspectors working on behalf of the public.

The Mario Cuomo Bridge is one such project. And we’re now seeing why this approach is flawed.

A consortium of companies—American Bridge Co., Fluor Corp., Traylor Bros., Inc., and Granite Construction—built the bridge. A private engineering firm—Alta Vista—inspected the construction. According to a Times Union investigation, at least dozens of bolts broke as the bridge’s girders were being assembled and even more a year after they were installed. A whistleblower alleges the companies committed fraud by hiding this from the New York Thruway Authority. Both New York’s inspector general and state attorney general’s office have investigated the claim. The attorney general’s office appears to have agreed to settle with the consortium for a paltry $2 million penalty and a one-year extension to its warranty on the bridge’s construction.

This was allowed to happen because of the New York Works Infrastructure Fund Act, passed in 2011 and expanded multiple times since. Before the act, licensed state engineers and inspectors oversaw public infrastructure projects. They made sure contractors weren’t cutting corners to increase profits. Now, like a fox guarding the hen house, on an increasing number of projects contractors inspect their own work with little to no state involvement.

Back in 2011, proponents of the change argued that it would reduce so-called “red tape” and cut costs. Yet, we have no way of knowing whether that’s panned out. There is currently no requirement for these projects to undergo a cost-benefit analysis, which would determine whether it’s worth allowing one company to design and build a bridge, road, or other piece of infrastructure.

Outrageously, some state lawmakers want to expand and make permanent the state’s ability to enter into such “design-build” contracts. A proposed bill would allow for even more contractors to self-inspect their own projects. This would be not only foolish but also potentially catastrophic. We should be increasing—not further decreasing—our government’s responsibility to keep New Yorkers safe. With billions in federal investment possible, oversight is more important than ever. That means putting the state’s licensed professionals to work inspecting the infrastructure we rely on. That means more public and less private involvement in the construction of our public assets.

Who knows how many of the bolts holding the Mario Cuomo Bridge together will break in the coming years? The hundreds of thousands of drivers who cross the bridge daily surely would like to know.

New York State Announces $26.6 Million for Grants to Support Essential Workers

Posted on: April 22, 2021 | Updated: April 22, 2021 by ccanham

We wanted to let PEF members know that New York State recently made available $26.6 million funded through private donations for the Empire Pandemic Grant Program. The money is intended for essential workers and first responders for “unreimbursed expenses they incurred while responding to the coronavirus pandemic between March 1 and July 31, 2020.” More information can be found here: https://ocfs.ny.gov/main/contracts/funding/

Please note that THIS IS NOT A PEF PROGRAM and it is subject to eligibility restrictions and documentation requirements. Therefore, members should exercise due diligence and thoroughly review the application criteria before applying.