We wish all PEF members and their families who celebrate Rosh Hashanah a Happy New Year filled with peace, happiness, and good health. L’shanah Tovah!
PEF leaders, staff remember those lost on 9/11
Sept. 11, 2024 — PEF leaders and staff gathered at the memorial outside the union’s headquarters in Latham to remember the more than 3,000 people who died in the terrorist attacks 23 years ago on Sept. 11, 2001.
“It’s still vivid in my mind,” said President Wayne Spence. “I still remember it as if it was yesterday.” PEF lost 34 PEF members from the Department of Taxation and Finance in New York City on that tragic day.
PEF Secretary-Treasurer Joe Donahue, who works for Tax and Finance, remembered the stunned disbelief as he watched the events unfold on the television.
“We all felt the loss,” he said. “After that horrific event, people got together. We were all Americans; we were all one. This memorial stands as a permanent reminder that we will never forget.”
PEF Executive Director Todd Kerner, who also worked for Tax and Finance and was in the city that day, hopes future generations of PEF continue the tradition of honoring the memories of those we lost.
“People just wanted to do their jobs,” he said. “I hope we continue to remember their sacrifice.”
President Spence closed the ceremony by honoring the work of the PEF Membership Benefits Program (PEF MBP) in the difficult days after the attacks.
“There were no bodies,” he said. “Insurance companies were not ready to say these people had passed and give benefits to their families.”
PEF MBP went to bat for them.
“[Then President] Roger Benson tasked Membership Benefits to figure it out. They contacted our internationals, AFT and SEIU, to come up with a plan to get money to these families, so they could get some aid,” he said. “The work they did to make sure these families had what they needed to survive went way beyond. They had to take on the state of New York and insurance companies.”
Click to watch a full video of the ceremony (runs about 12 minutes)
PEF advocacy pays off as Governor signs union priorities into law
September 10, 2024 — At a ceremony in New York City on September 4, Governor Kathy Hochul signed several bills written or supported by PEF. The legislation improves due process rights under Section 72 and expands access to the Civil Service system as New York seeks to fill thousands of vacant positions across all agencies.
Under Civil Service Law, Section 72 governs the process by which state agencies address workers who the employer feels are unable to perform their duties due to a disability other than an occupational disability. A new law signed by the Governor and introduced by Senator Robert Jackson and Assemblywoman Stacey Pfeffer Amato ensures that any and all information relating to disability accusations be made available to the affected employee. Previously, that information could be withheld or redacted.
Additionally, legislation introduced by Senator James Skoufis and Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon, will require agencies to develop a policy to notify affected employees when certain information is being requested.
Both bills empower employees and their union representatives to protect the due process rights of workers.
Additional Section 72 legislation that seeks to make a hearing officer’s final determination legally binding and provides the right to appeal that decision has passed both houses and is awaiting consideration by the Governor. That legislation was initiated by PEF and was supported by other public sector unions.
Three other bills — all introduced by Senator Jackson and Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato – chairs of their respective Civil Service Committees — also were signed into law by the governor. They reform and expand the Civil Service System and are major victories for PEF and other public service unions seeking to build stronger workforces.
The laws encourage more New Yorkers to take civil service exams by allowing applicants to take competitive exams if they will meet either minimum age requirements or minimum education requirements within 12 months, and by providing that New York State Civil Service review and update questions within exams at least every five years.
For New Yorkers who pass the exams and begin their careers in public service, another new law allows provisional employees who are appointed to the same title immediately following the provisional appointment to use time earned in their provisional appointment towards the requirements for taking a promotional exam.
Several other Civil Service reforms provide better test notifications, credit probationary time for provisional employees, and require the commissioner of the Department of Civil Service to prepare a report on titles that require license and registration as a mental health practitioner in one or more professions under Article 163 of the Education Law.
PEF President Wayne Spence believes the changes will help the State address some of its staffing concerns.
“On behalf of the 54,000 members of the New York State Public Employees Federation, we appreciate Governor Hochul’s support of these important bills,” said Spence in a press release distributed by the Governor’s office. “They are critical as we work to address the continued staffing issues across state agencies.”
There are still hundreds of bills for the Governor to potentially sign into law, and of those, at least 12 are major PEF priorities.
Bills addressing Workplace Bullying, Artificial Intelligence and mandatory staffing reports at the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities are high on the list of PEF priorities that are still awaiting the Governor’s signature. Each of these bills seeks to define and develop new policies to address concerns that negatively impact public employees.
PEF is also supporting bills that expand Workers’ Compensation Benefits for mental injury and work-related stress, regulate temperatures in correctional facilities, and allow for a one-year public notice and engagement when a hospital seeks to close entirely or close a unit that provides certain services like maternity, mental health or substance use care.
PEF members are encouraged to urge the Governor to sign these bills. The union has made it easy for members to copy and paste pre-written letters and submit them via the Governor’s website.
PEF engages members and members engage fairgoers at New York State Fair
The New York State Fair is an annual chance to celebrate all the things that make New York a great place to live and work. Games, rides, food and all the work and innovation that make New York a leader across the U.S. are on display for 13 days, including the work of state employees and the unions that support them.
The PEF booth in the Center of Progress building let members and non-members know how the union supports New York’s working professionals. Visitors signed thousands of petitions urging Governor Kathy Hochul to sign PEF priority bills into law before year’s end, including bills that address abusive conduct and bullying in the workplace as well as legislation to expand Workers’ Compensation benefits for work-related mental health injuries. Those were only two of seven petitions, which all members are encouraged to sign online at www.pef.org.
PEF member volunteers and staff spent time at the booth getting to know members from across the state, and rekindled relationships with retirees and former PEF members.
Across the fairgrounds, PEF members from almost all State agencies staffed booths — from the Department of Transportation, to the Office of Cannabis Management, and the Workers’ Compensation Board, fairgoers were provided information about what state workers and PEF members do for them, and how they themselves could become part of a strong workforce backed by unions.
For Colleen Cox, a technical writer at the Workers’ Compensation Board, and her colleague Allie Price, a public information specialist, PEF’s benefits mean a lot to them, but they also love to have fun, and purchasing tickets through PEF’s Membership Benefits Program means they can do just that at a discounted rate.
“I like being a PEF member because I like that PEF advocates for our benefits,” Cox said. “But I also love all the fun benefits, like e-tickets, and ski tickets.”
For Jasmine Alfonso, an advocacy specialist with the New York State Justice Center, the work she does to support families across the state is already close to her heart, but as a first-time union member, she is proud that PEF supports her.
“It is great to be part of a union, I’ve never had that before,” said Alfonso. “The services they provide to me have been fantastic to learn about. And I am new! So, it has been great to learn.”
The fair was also a chance for visitors to learn about new state agencies and initiatives.
PEF member Julien Vincent, a community liaison with Office of Cannabis Management, was glad to be at the fair to engage the public and discuss new opportunities around cannabis to help grow the industry in New York.
“I love that I get to meet and interact with the community and help people locally as well as throughout New York State,” said Vincent. “A lot of people are looking for a job in the industry and I like to help them find the jobs and careers that they are looking for.”
The Office of Addiction Services and Support (OASAS) also rolled out a new program to help with gambling addiction. At the agency’s fair booth, PEF members asked the public to fill out a survey as part of the new Problem Gambling Bureau. OASAS will use the responses to launch an awareness campaign and other support services for gambling addiction.
PEF’s booth is open through Sept. 2 and members and retirees from Region 4 will march in the traditional Labor Day Parade around the fairgrounds.
Empire Plan members: Information on St. Peter’s Health Partners, UnitedHealthcare negotiations
In response to concerns raised about St. Peter’s Health Partners contract termination/negotiations with UnitedHealthcare (UHC), PEF sought more information and has been notified by the state that the contract renewal negotiations between UHC, the Empire Plan’s Medical/Surgical Program administrator, and St. Peter’s Health Partners in the Capital District, are underway and will not impact NYSHIP Empire Plan members.
The current contract between UHC and St. Peter’s expired July 1, 2024. While the contract expiration means that St. Peter’s Health Systems will no longer be part of the UHC network of providers, there is a state mandated two-month cooling off period during which negotiations are expected to continue. This gives patients covered by UHC until Sept. 1, 2024, before having to contend with St. Peters’ termination.
PEF expects that Empire Plan members will not have to suffer the effects of the possible termination of St. Peter’s on September 1. UHC has asked St. Peter’s to exempt Empire Plan enrollees from the effects of any termination and continue to provide services to Empire Plan members on an in-network basis regardless of the status of contract negotiations and St. Peter’s has agreed.
A notice has been posted on the St. Peter’s Health Systems website that includes a statement about the exemption of Empire Plan members from having to obtain services there on an out-of-network basis.
The state has also posted a notice on NYSHIP Online. If you have questions or for more information, call 1-877-7-NYSHIP (1-877-769-7447) and press or say 1 for the Medical/Surgical Program.
HESC now accepting Masters in Education Teaching Incentive Scholarship applications for 2024-25
If you have a family member who is a full-time student pursuing a master’s degree at a SUNY or CUNY college or university that will lead to certification as a public elementary or secondary education teacher, applications are now available for the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) Masters in Education Teaching Incentive Scholarship for the 2024-25 academic year.
The program is aimed at addressing the critical need for qualified teachers in New York State public elementary and secondary schools. Recipients of the scholarship must agree to live in New York and teach for five years at a public elementary or secondary school in the state.
To qualify for the Masters in Education Teacher Incentive Scholarship, applicants must also meet the following criteria:
- Be a resident of New York State.
- Be enrolled full-time in a master’s degree program in education at a participating institution.
- Received their undergraduate degree from a college or university in New York State and received a minimum GPA of 3.5 in their undergraduate studies.
Eligible students who are enrolled in an approved graduate program can apply for the scholarship. Students who do not meet the program citizenship and residency requirements can apply through the New York State Dream Act.
The application is open through Aug. 26, 2024.
For more information, visit the Masters in Education Teacher Incentive Scholarship program webpage.
PEF statement on announced correctional facility closures
The following statement was issued by PEF President Wayne Spence on July 18, 2024, following notification to the union from the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) that two correctional facilities will close effective Nov. 6, 2024:
The decision by the State of New York to close Great Meadow and Sullivan Correctional Facilities will have a significant impact on the more than 100 PEF members who work at those two facilities. In addition, PEF represents about 100 more hard-working professionals at nearby Woodbourne and Washington Correctional Facilities, who will possibly be impacted by these closures.
These men and women must now confront the hardships associated with transferring to a new job or possibly losing a job due to lack of seniority, as well as potentially uprooting their families, finding new schools for their kids, and a host of other stressful situations associated with sudden changes to their employment.
PEF is committed to assisting each member who wishes to secure a new position within DOCCS, according to the terms set forth in our collective bargaining agreement with the State. We will utilize all available resources to facilitate the process and ensure as smooth a transition as possible. The union will be present at meetings that DOCCS will soon schedule at each facility to talk to impacted members. Our Health and Safety department will conduct Workplace Violence Assessments and support any staff who may be transitioning into different work environments to make sure any transition is as safe as possible.
There is never a good time to find out your job will undergo significant changes, but this is when Union Strong is more than just a slogan. Together, we will navigate this difficult time so that PEF members can get back to doing what they do best — deliver public services to New Yorkers when they need them most.
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Note: Impacted PEF members have been sent an email with additional information about next steps and support available. If you did not receive it, contact your regional office and ask to speak to your field representative.
PEF Relief Fund active for Region 6 members
After devastating storms swept through the Rome, N.Y., area on July 16, PEF activated its Relief Fund to raise money for members who were impacted. Nearly 100,000 people in the region lost power for an extended period of time, many losing the entire contents of their refrigerator and freeze. PEF is using money from the PEF Relief Fund to help those members replenish food and gas supplies. Click here to donate.
PEF leading the way on intersection of state workforce and artificial intelligence
ALBANY – The Public Employees Federation (PEF) convened a summit on the future of artificial intelligence (AI) in the state workforce on July 10, bringing together top officials in the state Office of Information Technology Services (OITS), legislators, and union leaders.
“Artificial intelligence is here to stay, and we must evolve as a state workforce to make sure its use is transparent, devoid of unintended bias, and best serves the needs of the public we serve,” said PEF President Wayne Spence.
PEF brought together a diverse group of stakeholders to discuss the future of AI as it intersects with the State workforce.
“IT professionals have all heard the saying, ‘Garbage in, garbage out.’” said PEF Statewide IT Committee Chair Radhakrishna Mohan, who organized the “PEF IT Summit on AI” together with Christopher Ford, who leads the PEF division that represents OITS employees across New York. “It is imperative that we know what data is being fed to AI, that we know what algorithms are being used, and that we demand the continued need for human oversight of AI systems.”
Attendees included NYS Department of Civil Service Commissioner Timothy R. Hogues, OITS Chief Information Officer Dru Rai; OITS Deputy Chief Data Officer Christopher O’Connor; State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez, chair of the Senate Internet and Technology Committee; State Sen. Robert Jackson, chair of the Senate Civil Service and Pensions Committee; and State Assemblymember Alex Bores, member of the Assembly Technology Committee.
“AI has wildly divergent potential outcomes; we’ll all be better off if the people doing the work are directly involved in shaping its regulation and implementation,” said State Assemblymember Alex Bores. “PEF members have a wealth of experience and important context that helps New York government get things done. I thank them for pulling us all together and hosting this important discussion on technology that will impact every New Yorker.”
State Senator Kristen Gonzalez said: “The reality of AI is that these deeply imperfect technologies cannot replace human judgment or creativity, and our economy is simply not prepared for the mass displacement of workers or disruption to our democracy that AI adoption could accelerate. I will continue to pass more legislation like the FAIR Act and LOADinG Act that will ensure the safe and proper utilization of AI technology and hope to have many more of these conversations in the future.”
“In an age where artificial intelligence redefines boundaries, let’s ensure it extends our capacities, not limits them,” said State Senator Robert Jackson. “As we pioneer AI integration in New York, our focus is clear: to elevate, not replace, the unique contributions of every state worker. Our approach must be proactive—driving innovation and implementing policies that empower our workforce, ensuring opportunities for all. AI should amplify, not mute, the dynamic human spirit that drives our state forward.”
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Media pursuing stories about the use of AI by State government should contact PEF Communications Director Rob Merrill at rmerrill@pef.org or (518) 785-1900, ext. 274 with interviews requests. PEF as a union is at the forefront of the issue and our members have “hands on keyboards” doing the actual work.