Keep SOS rally energy flowing, so PEF can change bad policy
By SUSAN M. KENT On January 29, throngs of union
members from throughout the state stood together in the well of the Legislative Office Building in Albany in a show of solidarity at PEF’s Save Our Services rally. What we saw that day were members
and leaders from many unions and community groups speaking in one voice, all committed to the same thing – ensuring the state of New York does not relinquish its responsibility to provide quality services to the citizens of New York and to better the lives of its members. It doesn’t matter what the slogan or
chant was. The commitment was the same, the meaning was the same, the message was clear and our voices were heard. Our voices were heard, not only in the well of the Legislative Office Building, but in the governor’s office as well when PEF delivered to it thousands of SOS petitions signed by PEF members and members of our communities. Any time we can link up unionists and community activists, we know we’re on the right track! I want to personally thank all of you
who attended the rally on January 29th. I know that being a unionist is not always easy, and I thank you because standing together shows strength in numbers and helps carry our message further. I am gratified to say it wasn’t only current PEF members who attended the rally. PEF retirees, union activists in retirement,
SAVING NYTOGETHER – PEF President Susan
M.Kent explains at the rally the necessity for unified policymaking between the governor, elected officials, labor and the people.
understand and support our fight to save the services our members provide. We are all united against bad public policy that affects us all. Throughout this issue of The
Communicator, you can read about the rally and see photos that captured the essence of the day. You also can watch video of the day on the recently redesigned PEF website at
www.pef.org. Now, as we are in the midst of several
really important budget battles involving state University of New York hospitals, the state Office of Mental Health, the state Office for People with Developmental Disabilities and the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, we are working to make sure our membership stays informed about the concerns PEF has with the 2014 Executive Budget. We will have literature available so our members and the public can be educated about our issues and so we are all speaking with one voice. As the chief spokesperson of this union, you can be assured I will take every opportunity to make our positions known. It is my job as president of PEF to
educate, inspire and mobilize our members. This leadership understands the frustration many of you feel with the way
—Photo byTim Raab
state policy has been rolled out and the way members of our communities feel they are being short-changed. I aim to turn that frustration into
positive energy. It is possible. Our rally on January 29th is proof of that. It is my job as president of this union to
educate, inspire and mobilize our members. This leadership understands the frustration many of you feel with the way policy has been rolled out and the way members of our communities feel like they are being short-changed. I aim to turn that frustration into positive energy. It is possible. The rally on January 29th is proof of that. Now, as we move forward preparing our
budget fight, the fight against threats to the workforce, and preparation for upcoming contract negotiations, I am asking that you find time in the next 12 months before our PS&T contract expires, to find a way to get involved to make PEF stronger and to protect our services. I ask nothing more of you, than I asked of myself when I was a local leader. You will be hearing from this
leadership soon with a call to action to all members to get involved with the important work that lies ahead.
PEF members, contact your legislators, tell them to Save Our Services — Stop the wrecking ball on our communities. Labor On The Move! Go to
www.PEF.org
www.pef.org The Communicator March 2014—Page 7
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
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