PEF President Statement on NY Correctional Facility Closures

Posted on Posted on: | Updated: by ccanham

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 state is facing, but there is also an ongoing health crisis within the walls of New York’s correctional facilities. Why crowd the system during a second wave of the coronavirus? The health and safety of all impacted needs to be considered. The rushed closure of these facilities and the transfer of incarcerated individuals and staff who may have been exposed to COVID-19 defies the advise of public health advocates and puts communities at risk.

In addition, the skilled PEF members currently employed at the Watertown Correctional Facility, the Gowanda Correctional Facility and the Clinton Annex provide the critical mental health, wellness, education and job training support necessary for incarcerated individuals to successfully reintegrate back into their communities. PEF supports reasonable, responsible and appropriate criminal justice reform that provides resources to create real avenues for oversight, rehabilitation and reintegration back into the community. We are concerned those avenues will be blocked for some individuals as a result of this shortsighted decision.

PEF will do everything within our power to make sure our members are protected during this process. The state does not anticipate any layoffs as a result, but we are concerned about job security and quality of life as workers transition to new assignments and we will fight to make sure our members see no reduction in their paychecks.

There is never a good time to learn your job is disappearing, but the end of this traumatic year is especially tough. Our hearts go out to PEF members now forced to make life-changing decisions. We are committed to helping them navigate the situation and continue their fulfilling careers with New York.”

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PEF pledges to support members impacted by prison closures

Posted on Posted on: | Updated: by ccanham

Albany, N.Y. — The Public Employees Federation (PEF) was notified on Dec. 21 that New York State will close three correctional facilities in 2021. The three facilities — Gowanda Correctional, Watertown Correctional and Clinton Annex — employ more than 100 hard-working members of our union.

In a memo sent to staff at each facility, the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) said they “will make every effort to assist each facility employee to transfer into an available, funded, vacant position at another correctional facility with the Department, or with another state agency.”

As a union, we are committed to making sure DOCCS upholds that promise. We have already begun contacting impacted members and will work closely with each of them as they work through this very personal process.

“There is never a good time to find out your job is disappearing, but this holiday season at the end of an exceptionally traumatic year is especially tough,” said PEF President Wayne Spence. “Our hearts go out to the PEF members now forced to make life-changing decisions. We are committed to helping them navigate the situation and continue their fulfilling careers with New York State.”

PEF Relief Fund

Posted on Posted on: | Updated: by troyweb

We are living in unprecedented times. PEF healthcare professionals need your help! Our 15,000+ nurses and healthcare professionals, many on the front line fighting the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, are putting their lives and the safety of their families at risk.

PEF has been providing hotel rooms for these heroes to help minimize the danger to their families and to offer relief to those nurses who are just too tired to drive home after their long shift. PEF is also making investments in personal protective equipment, including N95 masks and surgical masks to make sure our members are safe.

At this time, we need your generosity to continue this valuable program so we can help as many nurses as possible for as long as we can.

Please help by clicking on the link and donating what you can to help keep our healthcare heroes safe. Thank you for your generosity.

The PEF Relief Fund is a registered 501(c)(3) Public Charity with the IRS. As such, contributions to this fund are deductible under Section 170 of the IRS Code.

Financial information about The PEF Relief Fund can be obtained by writing to us at 1168-70 Troy-Schenectady Road, Albany, New York, NY 12414, or see: A copy of our most recent financial report is available from the Charities Registry on the New York State Attorney General’s website at www.charitiesnys.com or, upon request, by contacting the NYS Attorney General:

NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF LAW CHARITIES BUREAU
28 Liberty Street
New York, NY 10005
LETITIA JAMES Attorney General

or at 212-416-8401.