View source for Public Employees Federation

{{Short description|New York AFL-CIO-affiliated union}}
{{COI|date=December 2017}}

{{Infobox union
| name                     = PEF
| full_name                = Public Employees Federation
| image                    = [[File:NYS Public Employees Federation logo.jpg|frameless]]
| founded                  = {{Start date|1978}}
| location_country         = [[United States]]
| headquarters             = 1168–1170 Troy-Schenectady Rd., Latham, NY 12110
| key_people               = Wayne Spence, President, Joe Donahue, Secretary-Treasurer, Randi DiAntonio, Bruce Giddings, Darlene Williams, Vice Presidents
| website                  = {{URL|www.pef.org}}
| affiliation              = [[American Federation of Teachers|AFT]] ([[AFL–CIO]]), [[Service Employees International Union|SEIU]] ([[Strategic Organizing Center|SOC]])
| members                  = 57,229 (Sept. 2024)
| native_name              = 
| dissolved                = 
| merged                   = 
| footnotes                = 
}}
The '''Public Employees Federation''' ('''PEF''') is a labor [[trade union|union]] representing more than 57,000<ref name="OLMS_LM-2_2014-06-29">{{Cite OLMS|filenum=519-220|rptId=557862|rptForm=LM2Form|date=June 29, 2014}}</ref> professional, scientific, and technical public employees in the state of [[New York (state)|New York]]. The union is one of the largest local [[white-collar worker|white-collar]] unions in the United States and is New York's second-largest state-employee union.<ref>Northrup, [http://blog.timesunion.com/stateworker/layoff-plans-in-motion-pef-wonders-what-happened-to-retirement-incentive/705/ "Layoff Plans in Motion, PEF Wonders What Happened to Retirement Incentive,"] ''Albany Times-Union'', July 22, 2010.</ref> PEF also represents employees who work in private-sector jobs and local government agencies. The union publishes ''[https://communicator.pef.org The Communicator]'', an online newsletter for members, 10 times annually.

==Governance==
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----
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PEF is a member-driven union, with policy set by an elected Executive Board that meets four times annually, and Convention delegates, who per the union's [https://www.pef.org/pef_files/constitution/pef_constitution.pdf Constitution] "shall meet once annually between September 1st and November 30th at a time and place determined by the Executive Board.”  

The union President, Secretary-Treasurer, three Vice Presidents, three Trustees, and 12 Regional Coordinators are elected by a vote of the entire membership via mail-in ballot. Statewide officers serve a term of three years. The [https://www.pef.org/get-to-know-your-union/union-leadership/ current officers] were sworn in on Aug. 1, 2024 and will serve until July 31, 2027.

==Origins==
In 1971, 61-year-old [[George Hardy (labor leader)|George Hardy]] was elected president of the [[Service Employees International Union]] (SEIU).<ref name="WhoWasWho">''Who Was Who in America'', 1991.</ref><ref name="Cook">Cook, "George Hardy, 79, Pioneer Leader of Service Worker Union, Is Dead," ''New York Times'', September 18, 1990.</ref> Under Hardy, SEIU's health care and public employee divisions saw rapid growth.<ref name="Cook" /> Much of the membership growth, however, came through affiliation rather than new member organizing. Hardy viewed the fast-growing [[American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees]] (AFSCME) as SEIU's chief competitor.<ref>McCartin, "'A Wagner Act for Public Employees': Labor's Deferred Dream and the Rise of Conservatism, 1970–1976," ''Journal of American History'', June 2008.</ref>  AFSCME had grown from a mere 100,000 members in 1951 to 500,000 members in 1972, and had elected a dynamic and aggressive new leader, 45-year-old [[Jerome Wurf|Jerry Wurf]], in 1964.<ref name="Billings">Billings and Greenya, ''Power to the Public Worker'', 1974.</ref> Not only was AFSCME's growth substantial, its demographics matched those of SEIU's: At least two-thirds of the rival union's members were blue-collar workers, and a fifth of them worked in hospitals and nursing homes.<ref name="Billings" /> To counter AFSCME's rapid growth, Hardy adopted a strategy of affiliating existing unions rather than organizing unorganized workers. Between 1971 and 1980, SEIU affiliated 22 independent unions.<ref name="Moody">Moody, ''An Injury to All: The Decline of American Unionism'', 1988.</ref> Merger and affiliation accounted for 230,000 new members from 1971 to 1985, and virtually all of the union's growth from 1980 to 1984.<ref name="Moody" />

One of SEIU's major growth spurts came in 1978, when it raided the [[Civil Service Employees Association]] (CSEA). In existence since 1910, CSEA had won representation rights for New York State's 140,000 public employees after the state passed a public employee collective bargaining law in 1968. Structured like an association rather than a union, CSEA hesitated to engage in militant labor action or strike, and yet it had a rocky relationship with the state:  The union struck for two days at the beginning of April 1972<ref>Clarity, "State Employes Begin a Walkout," ''New York Times'', April 1, 1972.</ref> and won a 5.5 percent pay hike.<ref>Clarity, "State Strike Ends As Workers Win Raise and Bonus," ''New York Times'', April 3, 1972.</ref> But the strike and dissatisfaction with CSEA's leadership led some CSEA members to ask for representation by SEIU.  With Hardy's strong backing, the newly formed union was able to gather enough signatures on petitions to trigger a representational vote in two of the four units where workers were represented by CSEA, but SEIU lost the vote by a 3-to-1 margin in December 1972.<ref>Stetson, "State Employes Will Vote This Week," ''New York Times'', December 3, 1972.</ref><ref>Johnson, "State Institutional Employes to Stay in Civil Service Union," ''New York Times'', December 9, 1972.</ref><ref>"State's Professional Aides Vote to Retain Association," ''New York Times'', December 10, 1972.</ref> A second strike planned by CSEA leaders was called off after delegates overwhelmingly repudiated a strike resolution supported by the union's leaders.<ref>Carroll, "State Workers Postpone Strike After Rift Develops," ''New York Times'', April 1, 1975.</ref> The internal strife led SEIU to once again challenge CSEA for a large unit of New York State public employees. In an election held December 5, 1975, an SEIU-led coalition which included the [[American Federation of Teachers]] (AFT), the [[Laborers' International Union of North America]], the [[Teamsters|International Brotherhood of Teamsters]], and several building trades unions was defeated by CSEA, 10,858 to 10,348 with 1,015 voting for neither union.<ref name="Test">"C.S.E.A. Wins a Test in Albany Election," ''New York Times'', February 8, 1976.</ref> With neither side winning a majority, a second election was held the first week of February 1976, which CSEA won (14,321 to 10,184).<ref name="Test" />

But Hardy continued to raid CSEA.  CSEA leaders initially sought protection by affiliating with AFSCME. Article 20 of the AFL–CIO constitution prohibits affiliates from raiding one another's members, and an affiliation with AFSCME would have won CSEA relief from the raids.<ref name="BarMerger">"Civil Service Association Bars Merger With Union," ''New York Times'', March 18, 1976.</ref> But CSEA delegates formally barred their leaders from seeking an affiliation with AFSCME in March 1976.<ref name="BarMerger" /> CSEA's contract with the state of New York expired in 1977. Although CSEA leaders once more proposed a strike, the union settled for a 14 percent pay raise in April 1977.<ref>Stetson, "New York State Employees Plan For a Possible Strike on April 18," ''New York Times'', April 7, 1977.</ref><ref>Meislin, "Albany Pact to Give State Workers Raise of 14% Over 2 Years," ''New York Times'', April 18, 1977.</ref> Hardy, convinced SEIU could successfully raid CSEA, conducted secret polls which showed that deep unrest in the professional, scientific, and technical (PS&T) unit.<ref name="HobartInterview">[http://library.albany.edu/speccoll/findaids/apap015/hobart.pdf "Tom Hobart Interview,"] CSEA History Project, SUNY-Albany, December 7, 2004.</ref> Working only with the AFT, SEIU once more obtained enough petitions to challenge CSEA representation in the PS&T unit. The raid was successful, and the coalition (known as the Public Employees Federation) won, 15,062 to 12,259.<ref>Stetson, "State's Employees Get Different Union," ''New York Times'', April 16, 1978.</ref> Hardy and AFT leader [[Albert Shanker]] hoped to raid CSEA further, but CSEA affiliated with AFSMCE on April 21, 1978.<ref name="HobartInterview" /><ref>Gupte, "Union of Civil Service Employees to Affiliate With a Longtime Rival," ''New York Times'', April 22, 1978.</ref> The affiliation made AFSCME the largest affiliate in the AFL–CIO.<ref>Flint, "New York Labor Dispute Hints at a Jurisdictional War," ''New York Times'', May 2, 1978.</ref>

CSEA challenged the SEIU/AFT coalition's victory, however. CSEA attorneys alleged that nearly 5,000 of the signatures on the petition forcing an election were fraudulent.<ref>"Hearings Consider Union Dispute," ''New York Times'', May 21, 1978.</ref> A [[New York Supreme Court]] (the state's [[trial court]] of [[general jurisdiction]]) initially dismissed the suit,<ref>"Civil Service Union Loses Vote Appeal," ''New York Times'', July 21, 1978.</ref> but it was reinstated by a [[New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division|state appellate court]].<ref>"Civil Service Union Wins Appeal," ''New York Times'', January 12, 1979.</ref> As the lawsuit progressed, CSEA won a new three-year contract which included a 7 percent pay hike in the first year.<ref>Meislin, "New York State Agrees to 7% Rise And New Merit Setup for 105,000," ''New York Times'', March 12, 1979.</ref><ref>"Governor Announces Three-Year Wage Pact With State's Workers," ''New York Times'', March 13, 1979.</ref> But the new union, now called the Public Employees Federation, ultimately prevailed in the [[New York Court of Appeals]] (the [[supreme court|highest court]] in the state of New York) on March 28, 1979.<ref>"Union Awarded Right to Represent Professional Employees," ''New York Times'', March 28, 1979.</ref> PEF subsequently negotiated a controversial contract which gave union members a 36 percent pay increase over three years.<ref>Stetson, "State Employees to Vote on New Contract Nov. 19," ''New York Times'', November 10, 1979.</ref> Submitted to the members without the approval of PEF's executive council, the contract was overwhelmingly approved by PEF members on December 6, 1979.<ref>"State Employees Approve Pact," ''New York Times'', December 7, 1979.</ref>

==History==

===Kraemer presidency===
PEF's first president, John J. Kraemer, served a single, turbulent term in office.  He was accused of being a "no-show" employee at his previous position with the New York State Department of Labor,<ref>"State Accused of Paying Unionist in No-Show Job," ''New York Times'', July 31, 1979.</ref> but was exonerated of the charges.<ref name="PicchiStormy">Picchi, "Unionist's Career a Stormy One," ''Albany Times-Union''. March 6, 1987.</ref> He also had been accused and found innocent of being paid a salary from both PEF and state.<ref name="PicchiStormy" /> As his legal troubles continued, Kraemer focused on negotiating the union's second contract. Pensions were a major issue for the union.<ref>Levine, "State Retirees Need Pension Relief Now," ''New York Times'', April 15, 1981.</ref> In 1976, the state enacted a new pension plan under which state employees paid income taxes on their mandatory contribution to the state pension plan, which PEF claimed forced workers to pay taxes on income they may never receive.<ref name="Wexler">Wexler, "PEF Lobbies for Improved Pensions," ''Albany Times-Union'', June 8, 1988.</ref> Although the agreement ratified in March 1982 did not address the pension issue, the contract negotiated by Kraemer won pay raises of 9 percent the first year and 8 percent the next two years in exchange for a reduction in the number of sick days given to employees.<ref>Chira, "State Reaches Tentative Pact With Civil Service Employees," ''New York Times'', February 28, 1982.</ref>

Kraemer lost re-election in 1982 to Elizabeth Hoke. The 1,100-member Statewide Coalition for a Democratic Union (SCDU), at the time PEF's only organized "political party," had formed to challenge Kraemer and support Hoke.<ref name="KellyDefeats">Kelly, "PEF Chief Defeats Challenger in Primary," ''Albany Times-Union'', February 24, 1988.</ref> The election was a bitter one, with Hoke accusing Kraemer of poor leadership.<ref name="PicchiStormy" />

===Hoke presidency===
When Hoke assumed the presidency, she found the union was more than $400,000 in debt.<ref name="PicchiStormy" /> An investigation found that Kraemer had embezzled funds from the union.<ref name="PicchiStormy" /><ref>Halbrook, "PEF Mourns Death of Founder, John Kraemer," ''PEF Communicator'', December 2005 – January 2006.</ref><ref>Kraemer would be convicted in 2000 for embezzling from another union, Local 29 of the [[Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union]], in [[Hackensack, New Jersey]]. At the time of his death, he would be under investigation for conspiring to embezzle more than $296,000 from the Professional Employee's Guild (PEG) of Hackensack and the union's welfare fund. See: "New York Lawyer Indicted for Alleged Union Embezzlement," press release, U.S. Department of Justice, November 1, 2006.</ref> Kraemer pleaded guilty to the charges in early 1987.<ref name="PicchiStormy" /><ref>"Ex-PEF Chief Admits Theft," ''Albany Times-Union'', March 5, 1987.</ref>

Hoke's presidency was in some ways dissimilar to Kraemer's. Unlike Kraemer, Hoke took a low-key approach to the PEF presidency, rarely seeking the media spotlight or public attention.<ref name="PicchiPEFGears">Picchi, "PEF Gears Up for 'Toughest' Contract Negotiations," ''Albany Times-Union'', November 7, 1987.</ref> But her presidency suffered several scandals as well. In 1984, Hoke revoked the union leave of PEF's three statewide vice presidents, a move which was very controversial among PEF members.<ref>"Unions Open Query Into PEF Dispute," ''Albany Times-Union'', May 24, 1984.</ref> Later that year, she was accused of using her PEF credit card for personal expenses.<ref>"Hoke 'Censors' Union Article on Credit Card Use," ''Albany Times-Union'', September 11, 1984.</ref> Hoke also sued to sever PEF's dual affiliation with the AFT and SEIU, claiming the two unions held too much power over PEF and provided little services in return.<ref>AFT and SEIU held veto power over any changes to PEF's [[bylaws]] and constitution, the ability to establish a trusteeship over PEF, and the authority to dissolve PEF without PEF members' consent. Initially, the affiliation agreement also gave AFT and SEIU, rather than PEF members, the right to elect the PEF executive board.  See: "New York State Public Employees seek to Loosen Dual Affiliation," ''Labor Notes'', January 26, 1984.</ref> The suit was unsuccessful.

Contract negotiations in 1985 were particularly contentious. PEF was especially critical of a state proposal to restructure the state employee health insurance program.<ref>Schmalz, "State and Its Top Union Reach A Pact," ''New York Times'', April 1, 1985.</ref> Mediators had to be called in to help settle the contract.<ref>"Mediators Named In State Deadlock," Associated Press, April 9, 1985.</ref> PEF settled for 5 percent pay raises in each of the contract's three years and an accidental-death benefit.<ref name="NewkirkPEFChief">Newkirk, "PEF Chief to Press for Large Pay Hikes," ''Albany Times-Union'', November 23, 1987.</ref> Hoke failed to win re-election in 1985 due to member dissatisfaction with 1985 contract.<ref name="PEFShudders">Gottlieb, "PEF Shudders During Contract Fight," ''Albany Times-Union'', April 12, 1993.</ref> SCDU withdrew its support for Hoke and actively supported challenger Rand Condell.<ref name="KellyDefeats" />

===Condell presidency===
Rand Condell struggled to bring some organizational stability to PEF.  In 1986, he settled a lawsuit against PEF by the [[New York State United Teachers]] (NYSUT) and the AFT. NYSUT and the AFT had claimed that PEF had underpaid dues for half its membership since its inception, leading to a $10 million to $12 million underpayment. In the settlement, PEF withdrew as an affiliate of NYSUT (AFT's state federation in New York) and the AFT agreed to reimburse NYSUT for the services NYSUT had rendered to PEF.  In return, PEF agreed to pay increase per capita dues payments for half its members by 71 percent (to $72 from $42) and remit the higher dues payments to the AFT.  The NYSUT disaffiliation saved PEF $3.5 million a year, but increased PEF's dues to the AFT by $600,000 a year.<ref>Chalmers, "Unions Near Agreement in Dues Dispute," ''Albany Times-Union'', July 25, 1986.</ref>

To cover the cost of the higher payments to the AFT, Condell sought a large dues increase from PEF members.  Condell proposed raising dues on a sliding scale, with its lowest-paid members incurring a 14 percent dues increase while its highest-paid members saw a 55 percent dues increase. The dues hikes would be the first since the last year of Kraemer's presidency.<ref>Cross, "Public Employees' Union Seeks Dues Raise," ''Albany Times-Union'', September 27, 1986.</ref> Although Condell expected easy passage of the dues hike,<ref>Bang-Jensen, "PEF Leaders Anticipating Dues Hike Approval," ''Albany Times-Union'', October 17, 1986.</ref> the proposal did not win the 60 percent majority needed at the PEF convention in October 1986.<ref>"Dues Hike Defeated in PEF Vote," ''Albany Times-Union'', October 21, 1986.</ref>  Condell immediately resubmitted the dues proposal to members two days later, and it easily passed (leading to an average increase of $4.08 per member per month, giving the union about $2.8 million more each year).<ref>"Union Approves Dues Increase," ''Albany Times-Union'', October 21, 1986.</ref> The extra dues allowed PEF to build a new headquarters in [[Latham, New York]].<ref>Newkirk, "PEF to Break Ground for New $1.7 Million Building in Latham," ''Albany Times-Union'', May 11, 1987.</ref>

During his first term in office, Condell fought the state on a number of issues. The need for higher pensions continued to rank high on the union's agenda.<ref name="Wexler" /><ref>Chalmers, "Retirees Push 'Pension Justice' Campaign," ''Albany Times-Union'', June 26, 1986.</ref><ref>Ginsberg, "Pension Raise Needed," ''New York Times'', January 2, 1987.</ref> The union also fought large layoffs of state workers, particularly at the New York State Department of Labor.<ref>Hughes, "PEF Hits States Layoff Plans," ''Albany Times-Union'', February 3, 1987.</ref><ref>"State Labor Cuts Under Fire," ''Albany Times-Union'', January 23, 1987.</ref> But much of the union's attention was focused on a major battle in 1987 over pay equity. The governor had proposed and the state legislature had approved a plan to give more than 42,600 state workers (about 5,000 of whom were PEF members) retroactive pay increases to make up for disparities with private-sector pay, lower wages given to women, and work in hazardous occupations. PEF filed a [[grievance (labour)|grievance]] against the pay plan, arguing that it downgraded some of the occupational titles of its members.<ref>Newkirk, "Union Grieves Pay Equity Plan," ''Albany Times-Union'', May 19, 1987.</ref><ref>Newkirk, "CSEA, PEF Clash Over Pay Equity," ''Albany Times-Union'', July 2, 1987.</ref><ref>Newkirk, "Grievance Stalls PEF Pay Equity Increases," ''Albany Times-Union'', August 5, 1987.</ref> PEF reacted angrily when the pay equity increase subsequently went through for all state workers except those belonging to PEF.<ref>Picchi, "Pay Raise Exclusion Irks Union," ''Albany Times-Union'', August 7, 1987.</ref> Condell then negotiated an agreement preventing any job title downgrades, and the pay increase for PEF members went through in September 1987.<ref>Hughes, "State, Union Reach Accord," ''Albany Times-Union'', August 28, 1987.</ref>

As Condell's first term ended, he promised to push for "substantial" pay raises in the union's upcoming contract negotiations even as his opponents attacked him for concentrating authority in staff hands and for poor leadership.<ref name="PicchiPEFGears" /><ref name="NewkirkPEFChief" /> Nonetheless, he was challenged for the SCDU endorsement by Michael Keenan, president of PEF's largest division.<ref>"PEF Chief Faces Primary Challenge," ''Albany Times-Union'', January 26, 1988.</ref> Condell defeated Keenan, 388 to 275.<ref name="PicchiPEFHead">Picchi, "PEF Head On Way to 2nd Term," ''Albany Times-Union'', February 24, 1988.</ref> Nonetheless, a new political party, the Committee for Independent Officers, arose and successfully contended for four of the six seats for state vice president, regional coordinator, and trustee (including among its winning candidates future PEF presidents Howard Shafer and Roger Benson).<ref name="PicchiPEFHead" /> To firm up his political position, Condell called for a two- rather than three-year contract, with a 7 percent pay rise in each year.<ref>Llavore, "PEF Pushing for 7% Hike in New Pact," ''Albany Times-Union'', March 28, 1988.</ref><ref>Barron, "New York Unions Nearing Deadline," ''New York Times'', March 27, 1988.</ref> Even when CSEA settled for a three-year agreement with salary increases of 5 percent, 5.5 percent, and 5.5 percent in each of its three years, Condell continued to push for 7 percent.<ref>Kelly, "PEF Will Continue Demands Despite 16.3% CSEA Pact," ''Albany Times-Union'', April 8, 1988.</ref> But health insurance, not pay, ended up being the biggest stumbling block.<ref>"CSEA Ratifies Four State Pacts," ''Albany Times-Union'', June 3, 1988.</ref><ref>Wexler, "PEF Blasts State on Health Insurance Pact Proposal," ''Albany Times-Union'', June 17, 1988.</ref> The state declared an impasse in mid June (10 weeks after PEF's contract had expired), and mediators were called in.<ref>Wexler, "State Declares Impasse in PEF Talks," ''Albany Times-Union'', June 16, 1988.</ref><ref>Wexler, "PEF, State to Begin Mediation Monday," ''Albany Times-Union'', June 21, 1988.</ref> Without the mediators' help, however, Condell reached a three-year agreement on July 11 with the same pay structure achieved by CSEA and no improvements in health benefits.<ref>Wexler, "Details Kept Under Wraps," ''Albany Times-Union'', July 12, 1988.</ref><ref>Wexler, "PEF Votes By 3 to 1 For State Pact," ''Albany Times-Union'', September 10, 1988.</ref>

On July 20, 1988, PEF won its first private-sector representation election (for workers at the New York City branch of Narcotic and Drug Research Inc.—a contractor for the state).<ref>"PEF Wins Bid to Represent Private Employees of State Contractor," ''Albany Times-Union'', July 27, 1988.</ref>

Condell barely survived a serious political challenge to his presidency in 1989. PEF spent much of the year fighting layoffs.<ref>Gesensway, "Unionist's State Job in Doubt," ''Albany Times-Union'', March 10, 1989.</ref> Convinced that PEF would be fighting layoffs the following year as well, Condell proposed raising dues 26.6 percent ($5.28 a month) to build a public relations and legal war chest. But PEF leaders balked at submitting the dues increase to the membership.<ref>Gesensway, "PEF Leaders Balk at Dues Hike," ''Albany Times-Union'', July 15, 1989.</ref><ref>"PEF Proposes Hiking Dues on Sliding Scale," ''United Press International'', September 9, 1989.</ref> PEF's 127-member executive board refused to recommend Condell's dues hike to the membership, but agreed to submit the plan to a vote anyway.<ref name="GesenswayDuesIncrease">Gesensway, "PEF Dues Increase Vote Likely Key to Future of Union President," ''Albany Times-Union'', October 17, 1989.</ref> The leadership of PEF's Capitol District (its largest region) floated their own plan for a dues increase at a much lower level, and observers concluded that if Condell lost the dues vote at the upcoming PEF convention in October he would probably not be able to win re-election in 1991.<ref name="GesenswayDuesIncrease" /> PEF members did indeed reject Condell's proposal for a dues increase (twice), but also refused to approval six other plans for a dues increase offered by leaders of the Capitol District as well as others.<ref>Gesensway, "PEF Still Debating Dues at Convention," ''Albany Times-Union'', October 18, 1989.</ref> After extensive parliamentary maneuvering (which some PEF members claimed was illegal), Condell was able to win approval of his original dues proposal.<ref>Gesensway, "PEF Delegates OK Dues Hike in Last-Minute Turnaround," ''Albany Times-Union'', October 19, 1989.</ref><ref>Gesensway, "PEF Dissidents Examine Dues Hike," ''Albany Times-Union'', November 20, 1989.</ref>

Condell's support within the union evaporated throughout 1990, and Condell fought the state over early retirement, hiring freezes, large layoffs, furloughs, and a state plan which withheld a week's pay from workers until they retired.<ref>Lopez, "Unionized State Workers Protest Proposed Cuts," ''Albany Times-Union'', March 22, 1990.</ref><ref>Precious, "Unions Oppose Cuomo Deal on Early Retirement," ''Albany Times-Union'', April 11, 1990.</ref><ref>Precious, "State's Workers Stall on Early Retirement," ''Albany Times-Union'', July 22, 1990.</ref><ref>Precious, "Cuomo Imposes Freeze on Hiring," ''Albany Times-Union'', October 31, 1990.</ref><ref>Borsellino, "Cuomo Will Lay Off Workers to Close Budget Gap," ''Albany Times-Union'', November 10, 1990.</ref><ref>Precious, "10,000 State Workers Face Budget Ax," ''Albany Times-Union'', November 14, 1990.</ref><ref>Precious, "State Furlough Proposal Appears Dead," ''Albany Times-Union'', December 14, 1990.</ref><ref>"Union Sues over Lag Payroll," Associated Press, January 11, 1991.</ref><ref>Janison, "Unions Take On Old Friend Cuomo," ''Albany Times-Union'', February 6, 1991.</ref>{{Excessive citations inline|date=July 2023}} In this difficult employment environment, the PEF contract expired.  Negotiations with the state stalemated in March 1991, the state declared an impasse, and an arbitrator was named in April.<ref>Precious, "Unions Say Cuomo Broke Deal By Discussing Talks," ''Albany Times-Union'', February 9, 1991.</ref><ref>Precious, "Administration Hints at Impasse With PEF," ''Albany Times-Union'', March 7, 1991.</ref><ref>Precious, "State Breaks Off Talks With Second Union," ''Albany Times-Union'', March 13, 1991.</ref><ref>"Arbitrator Named for PEF Impasse," ''Albany Times-Union'', April 12, 1991.</ref>

Condell was challenged for the PEF presidency by Howard Shafer. Shafer, supported by the Team for a Stronger Membership caucus, ran a full slate of candidates and accused Condell of poor leadership and embracing Governor [[Mario Cuomo]] too strongly.<ref>Precious, "Cuomo Backing Will Be Focus of PEF President Campaign," ''Albany Times-Union'', February 15, 1991.</ref><ref>Borsellino, "2 Candidates Vying for PEF Presidency," ''Albany Times-Union'', March 5, 1991.</ref><ref>Precious, "June Union Election," ''Albany Times-Union'', March 19, 1991.</ref><ref>Bauder, "Union Insurgents Make Cuomo the Issue," Associated Press, June 5, 1991.</ref><ref>Beidel, "PEF Election a War of Words," ''Albany Times-Union'', June 13, 1991.</ref><ref>Verhovek, "Political Talk," ''New York Times'', June 9, 1991.</ref> The election was a bitter one, and Shafer contended Condell was using the union's monthly newsmagazine to promote his candidacacy<ref>Borsellino, "PEF Boss Getting Good Press," ''Albany Times-Union'', March 12, 1991.</ref> On June 26, 1991, after record turnout, Shafer defeated Condell 3 to 1 (12,948 to 7,963, a margin of victory that surprised both candidates), and Shafer's entire ticket was swept into office.<ref>Beidel, "PEF Membership Ousts Condell From Presidency," ''Albany Times-Union'', June 26, 1991.</ref><ref>Sack, "Union Chief's Defeat Tied to Anger at Cuomo," ''New York Times'', June 27, 1991.</ref><ref>Beidel, "PEF Vote Reflects Union's Rebellion Against Leadership," ''Albany Times-Union'', June 27, 1991.</ref>

Scandal struck the union again in Condell's final days in office.  Condell signed an agreement which would give his senior aides lucrative severance payments worth thousands of dollars each if they were fired by Shafer.<ref>Precious, "Condell Offers Aides Golden Parachutes," ''Albany Times-Union'', July 31, 1991.</ref> After a half hour of debate, the PEF executive board overturned the severance agreements on Shafer's first day in office.<ref>Precious, "Shafer Assumes Presidency of PEF," ''Albany Times-Union'', August 2, 1991.</ref>

===Shafer presidency===
At first, the expired contract Shafer inherited did not seem an intractable problem. In December 1991, PEF members ratified a contractual change to their health plan which was seen as a referendum on Shafer's leadership.<ref>Janison, "PEF Ratifies Health Insurance Change," ''Albany Times-Union'', December 18, 1991.</ref> But negotiations for the expiring PEF contract soon broke down, a legislative fact-finding panel was imposed on the talks, and the state proposed eliminating nearly 14,000 public sector jobs.<ref>Janison, "Fact-Finding Panel Named in Contract Talks With PEF," ''Albany Times-Union'', January 8, 1992.</ref><ref>Precious, "Cuomo Poised to Eliminate 14,000 Jobs," ''Albany Times-Union'', January 10, 1992.</ref><ref>Janison, "State Workers Face Long Wait for Contracts," ''Albany Times-Union'', June 21, 1992.</ref> Finally, the governor set a June 25 deadline for resolving any contract talks. PEF held out. But when other unions settled their contracts, PEF wanted the same deal and didn't get it.<ref>Janison, "State's Labor Talks Make Scant Progress Despite Deadline," ''Albany Times-Union'', June 25, 1992.</ref><ref>Janison, "Union Wants What Others Got," ''Albany Times-Union'', July 1, 1992.</ref> The state legislature adjourned without enacting any PEF contract, although it was on the verge of passing a law requiring binding arbitration between the state and PEF.<ref>Janison, "PEF Contract Has to Wait Until Fall, Unionist Says," ''Albany Times-Union'', July 3, 1992.</ref> The lack of a contract created a crisis for many PEF members.  Nearly 153,000 PEF workers and their family members lost their prescription drug, dental care, and vision care benefits in September 1992.<ref>Brandon, "PEF Members Losing Some Benefits," ''Albany Times-Union'', September 25, 1992.</ref><ref>Janison, "PEF Members Begin to Feel Effects of the Benefits Crisis," ''Albany Times-Union'', October 5, 1992.</ref> The governor urged both sides to bargain as the benefits crisis worsened,<ref>Gottlieb, "Cuomo Enters PEF Contract Fray," ''Albany Times-Union'', October 7, 1992.</ref> although a state judge later ordered the benefits restored through the end of calendar year 1992.<ref>Janison, "State Judge Restores PEF Health Benefits," ''Albany Times-Union'', October 9, 1992.</ref>

As the state laid off public workers, PEF's membership dropped from 59,000 to 55,000 members, depriving the union of $1 million in dues revenue. Vacant positions on PEF's staff were eliminated or went unfilled (angering members, who felt the brunt of the grievance and service cuts), and officers took salary cuts.<ref>Janison, "Union Budget Target of Fight," ''Albany Times-Union'', March 1, 1992.</ref> PEF members accused Shafer of playing politics with the staff cuts by jettisoning staff positions filled by his political opponents, and the PEF executive board retaliated by dismissing Roger Benson (one of Shafer's closest aides).<ref>Janison, "PEF Members, Angered By President, To Picket Office," ''Albany Times-Union'', March 27, 1992.</ref> The internal dissent became so bad that alleged assaults, racially inflammatory fliers, and accusations of financial fraud occurred at the SEIU Convention which PEF delegates attended in May 1992.<ref>Janison, "PEF Factions War Over Allegations at SEIU Convention," ''Albany Times-Union'', May 25, 1992.</ref> Some PEF members began circulating decertification petitions, and Shafer's political opponents formed a new caucus (Members United for a Responsible Union) to run a slate of candidates against him in 1994.<ref>Janison, "PEF Members Show Signs of Frustration," ''Albany Times-Union'', October 19, 1992.</ref>

The bargaining atmosphere deteriorated throughout the remainder of 1992. The state's chief negotiator said he would wait for the legislative fact-finding panel's recommendation, Shafer implied he might oppose a proposed bond measure which would help fund state jobs, and Shafer accused the governor of releasing private confidential negotiating information to PEF members without the union's consent.<ref name="JanisonChancesIncrease">Janison, "Chances Increase That PEF Contract Will Have to Wait Until Next Year," ''Albany Times-Union'', October 20, 1992.</ref> At PEF's convention in October 1992, Members United for a Responsible Union leafletted against Shafer, accused him of neglecting members' needs and trying to curry favor with the AFT.<ref name="JanisonChancesIncrease" /> Although the legislature passed a mandatory binding arbitration bill, the governor vetoed the legislation.<ref>"Cuomo Vetoes PEF Arbitration," ''Albany Times-Union'', November 26, 1992.</ref> Now looking at two years without a new contract, Shafer hired [[Theodore W. Kheel]], a well-known labor negotiator, to help the union win a new pact.<ref>"State Union Hires Labor Negotiator," ''Albany Times-Union'', December 31, 1992.</ref>

PEF reached a new contract with the state in March 1993. Although the state's chief negotiation withdrew the state's last contract offer at the end of February,<ref>Janison, "State Withdraws Its Offer to PEF," ''Albany Times-Union'', February 27, 1993.</ref> the governor personally put it back on the table.<ref>Janison, "Cuomo Puts Offer to PEF Back on Table," ''Albany Times-Union'', March 18, 1993.</ref> Shafer quickly agreed to the pact, which included a 9.5 percent salary increase over four years that was retroactive to April 1, 1991; moved PEF members into the state's health insurance pool; and ended PEF's lawsuit over the state's decision to defer a week's pay until each member retired.<ref>Janison, "After 2 Years Without A Contract, PEF, State Reach Tentative Accord," ''Albany Times-Union'', March 20, 1993.</ref><ref>Myers, "Albany and State Professionals' Union Reach Agreement on Contract," ''New York Times'', March 20, 1993.</ref> Although the PEF executive board voted to recommend the contract to PEF's members, those who voted "no" on the pact argued that PEF had achieved less than other unions, that the deal traded concessions for pay increases, and that the money spent on Kheel's consulting contract had gotten the union nothing better than what had been offered months before.<ref>Janison, "Rank and File to Vote in May on PEF's New Contract," ''Albany Times-Union'', March 27, 1993.</ref>  The board meeting was a raucous one, with alleged physical confrontations, a "Dump Shafer" movement hanging banners near the entrance, rumors of decertification, and proposals for PEF to abandon its independence and join either SEIU or AFT.<ref name="PEFShudders" /><ref>Janison, "PEF Grapples With More Than Just Contract," ''Albany Times-Union'', March 29, 1993.</ref> Members of PEF voted 28,774 to 7,281 to ratify the new four-year contract on May 12, 1993.<ref>"PEF Members Vote to Ratify New Four-Year Contract," Associated Press, May 12, 1993.</ref>

Shafer was defeated for re-election as PEF president by James Sheedy in June 1994. Although Shafer and Sheedy had originally been on the same political slate three years earlier, the relationship between the two men had deteriorated into a chilly civility in which they communicated with one another largely via memo (despite having offices next door to one another). The margin of victory was 388 votes, the slimmest margin in the union's 15-year history.  Sheedy's entire slate also narrowly edged out the Shafer slate's candidates.<ref>Gottlieb, "Opponent Defeats PEF Chief," ''Albany Times-Union'', June 29, 1994.</ref><ref>Gottlieb, "Defeated PEF Chief Delays Certification Vote," ''Albany Times-Union'', August 3, 1994.</ref>

===Sheedy presidency===
Sheedy spent much of his first two years in office as his predecessors did—fighting large layoffs of state workers.  Governor [[George Pataki]] vetoed legislation improving pensions, threatened to shut down state government and furlough all non-essential workers if the legislature didn't approve his budget, attempted to close state-run health care facilities, and cut more than 5,500 state jobs.<ref>Sack, "Pataki Vetoes Pension Rise, Citing Budget," ''New York Times'', February 9, 1995.</ref><ref>Precious, "Pataki Considers Massive, Temporary Layoffs," ''Albany Times-Union'', March 9, 1995.</ref><ref>Precious, "Pataki Won't Shut Down State," ''Albany Times-Union'', March 29, 1995.</ref><ref>Lipman, "Union Sues to Save Psychiatric Center," ''Albany Times-Union'', April 9, 1996.</ref><ref>Metzgar, "Pataki OKs Plans to Cut 5,542 Jobs," ''Albany Times-Union'', May 11, 1996.</ref> In this difficult negotiating climate, Sheedy re-negotiated PEF's expiring contract in April 1995. He agreed to the same financial package won by CSEA a month earlier: A four-year contract with a 3.5 percent salary increase in 1997 and 1998, and one-time bonuses in 1996 and 1997; a change in civil service definitions which would permit PEF workers to transfer more easily to other jobs and retain their salary levels; and no expiration date for the union's benefit packages.<ref>Gottlieb, "PEF Near Accord With State On New Contract," ''Albany Times-Union'', May 5, 1995.</ref><ref>Hurewitz, "PEF, State Reach Tentative Contract Agreement," ''Albany Times-Union'', May 9, 1995.</ref><ref>Gottlieb, "PEF Members OK 4-Year Labor Pact," ''Albany Times-Union'', July 12, 1995.</ref> Additional job cuts occurred in 1996 and 1997, totalling 20,000 state workers.<ref>Lipman, "Feeling the Pain of State Job Cuts," ''Albany Times-Union'', February 23, 1997.</ref> The state offered early retirement again to many employees.<ref>Metzgar, "State to Offer Incentive to Retire," ''Albany Times-Union'', February 11, 1997.</ref> When the state pension fund showed a surplus, Sheedy found himself caught between two opposing factions of PEF members: Use the funds to lower pension contribution costs from current members, or give the surplus to retiree members as a cost-of-living increase.<ref>Metzgar, "State Workers, Retirees Compete for Pension Cash," ''Albany Times-Union'', March 13, 1997.</ref>

Sheedy was more successful on other issues.  He signed the union's first agreement with the state to provide [[domestic partner]] benefits in September 1994.<ref>Gottlieb, "PEF Agrees to Domestic Partner Benefit," ''Albany Times-Union'', September 28, 1994.</ref> He fiercely fought a move to consolidate state information technology workers at sites the union felt were hazardous.<ref>Gottlieb, "PEF Tries to Block Move to Kingston," ''Albany Times-Union'', July 18, 1995.</ref><ref>Gottlieb and Precious, "Pataki, Bruno Still At Odds Over Job Move," ''Albany Times-Union'', July 26, 1995.</ref><ref>Lipman, "Union, State Squabble Over IBM Deal," ''Albany Times-Union'', September 29, 1995.</ref><ref>Gottlieb, "PEF Leader Assails Job Moves," ''Albany Times-Union'', October 28, 1995.</ref> PEF also won a federal lawsuit requiring the state to pay millions of dollars in overtime to PEF members,<ref>Metzgar, "OT Ruling May Cost Millions," ''Albany Times-Union'', February 17, 1996.</ref> and reinstated the lawsuit in state court after the state appealed.<ref>Metzgar, "PEF Urging Members to Sue State," ''Albany Times-Union'', August 2, 1996.</ref><ref>Metzgar, "PEF Sues the State to Get Overtime Pay for Workers," ''Albany Times-Union'', May 9, 1997.</ref>

Sheedy also undertook the union's first large-scale organizing campaigns since its formation. AFT, one of PEF's parent unions, assigned a full-time national organizer to help PEF organize health care workers in the private sector who worked for potential state contractors.<ref>Metzgar, "PEF Tries to Increase Its Members," ''Albany Times-Union'', March 29, 1996.</ref> But this plan backfired politically.  In 1996, PEF won an election for 42 paraprofessional health care workers working for a private contractor at the [[Coxsackie Correctional Facility]].<ref>Metzgar, "42 Medical Workers Vote to Join PEF," ''Albany Times-Union'', November 13, 1996.</ref> This organizing drive was highly criticized by Sheedy's political opponents, who claimed the union's executive board did not approve the organizing effort and who argued that PEF should only be organizing professional (not paraprofessional) workers.<ref>Fox, "PEF Move to Organizing Non-Professionals A Mistake," ''Albany Times-Union'', November 22, 1996.</ref>

Sheedy also fought openly with the PEF staff union.  Ninety-six of PEF's 120 staff belonged to Local 9265 of the [[United Steelworkers of America]] and had been working without a contract for nine months by March 1996.<ref>Metzgar, "Disgruntled PEF Workers Pit A Union Against A Union," ''Albany Times-Union'', March 30, 1996.</ref> The staff union complained that PEF refused to negotiate over layoffs and downsizing, demanded a 10 percent pay raise (with differential pay for downstate workers), and several position upgrades. Roger Benson, former chief of staff under PEF President Howard Shafer, supported the staff union publicly and strongly criticized Sheedy for his poor labor relations.<ref>Metzgar, "PEF Contract Dispute Embroiled in Politics," ''Albany Times-Union'', April 2, 1996.</ref> PEF and its staff union finally settled their contract dispute in June 1996.  The staff union won 3.5 percent pay increases in 1998 and 1999 and lump-sum bonuses paid in 1996 and 1997, enhancements to the dental plan, and concessions on the prescription drug plan and seniority rights.<ref>Metzgar, "PEF Reaches Agreement With Its Own Union Workers," ''Albany Times-Union'', June 29, 1996.</ref>

Sheedy's re-election campaign was a difficult, and ultimately unsuccessful, one.  Beginning in the spring of 1996, Roger Benson began putting together a statewide organization ("Members First") and publishing an alternative newsletter. Benson put together a full slate of officers and formally launched his campaign at PEF's October 1996 convention.<ref>Metzgar, "Another Bitter Race Is Possible At PEF," ''Albany Times-Union'', October 19, 1996.</ref> Benson announced a four-part platform: 1) Establishment of a PEF department focused on protecting employment security; 2) Budgeting substantial resources to enforce the Civil Service merit system; 3) Employment of a full-time professional contract negotiator; and 4) Elimination of officer perks.<ref>Metzgar, "Challenger Blames PEF President for 3 Years Without Pay Hikes," ''Albany Times-Union'', October 23, 1996.</ref> A third candidate, Jim Israel (a PEF shop steward), entered the race in January 1997 but withdrew when he was unable to obtain enough signatures to secure his nomination.<ref>Metzgar, "3rd Candidate Enters Race for PEF Presidency," ''Albany Times-Union'', January 16, 1997.</ref> Benson's slate of candidates included Jane Hallum (a computer programmer) for secretary-treasurer and future PEF president Kenneth Brynien as an executive board member.<ref>Metzgar, "PEF Presidential Candidate Names Slate of Union Activists," ''Albany Times-Union'', February 19, 1997.</ref> Sheedy and Benson battled over the state pension surplus,<ref>Metzgar, "PEF Hopefuls Battle Over Pension Costs," ''Albany Times-Union'', March 14, 1997.</ref> and engaged in a letter-to-the-editor war in the newspapers.<ref>Metzgar, "State's 3 Major Public-Worker Unions Set to Elect Officers," ''Albany Times-Union'', April 23, 1997.</ref> Benson promised not to raise dues and re-open union offices, while Sheedy admitted a dues hike might be necessary in 1999.<ref>Metzgar, "PEF President Debates Tough Challenger," ''Albany Times-Union'', May 28, 1997.</ref> In June 1997, Benson defeated Sheedy by a vote of 11,407 to 8,956.<ref>Metzgar, "PEF Votes to Jettison Its President Once Again," ''Albany Times-Union'', June 25, 1997.</ref>

===Benson presidency===
Roger Benson made immediate changes in the way PEF conducted its business.  He dismissed six staff members and returned to having two administrators share duties over the daily operation of the union.<ref name="FireSix">Metzgar, "PEF Leader to Fire 6 Staffers," ''Albany Times-Union'', July 3, 1997.</ref> He also named two close associates to the staff, and criticized the decision of the Sheedy-led executive board for enhancing the staff's severance packages.<ref name="FireSix" /> Local newspapers called the changes "bloodletting", and reported that additional layoffs were likely to come.<ref>"PEF Chief Dispatches Top Staffers," ''Albany Times-Union'', July 14, 1997.</ref>

Among PEF's major political initiatives at this time were a cost-of-living increase for worker pensions.<ref>"Unions Want A Crack at Budget Surplus," ''Albany Times-Union'', January 7, 1998.</ref><ref>Odato, "Bruno, Silver Promise Pension Reform Push," ''Albany Times-Union'', May 6, 1998.</ref><ref>Odato, "Unions Offer Compromise for COLA," ''Albany Times-Union'', June 12, 1998.</ref><ref>Odato, "Legislature to OK State Pension Hikes," ''Albany Times-Union'', June 18, 1998.</ref> Benson also said he would seek improvements to job security; accrual (rather than use-or-lose) for overtime, sick leave, and vacation; eliminate tiers in the pension plan; seek an end to penalties for early retirement; new workplace safety protections; an increase in the size of the state workforce; and new restrictions on contracting out.<ref>Odato, "State to Grapple With Unions," ''Albany Times-Union'', January 3, 1999.</ref> The state replied that it would seek a four-year wage freeze.<ref>Jakes, "PEF Protests No-Raise Contract Offer," ''Albany Times-Union'', April 24, 1999.</ref> Angered by the state's response in a time of budget surpluses, Benson led PEF workers in an extensive lobbying effort.<ref name="OdatoDecryZero">Odato, "State Workers Unions Decry 'Zero-Percent' Raises," ''Albany Times-Union'', April 29, 1999.</ref> He also said PEF would seek a three-year rather than four-year contract, and 5 percent per year wage increases.<ref name="OdatoDecryZero" /> Benson also replaced the union's top negotiator in order to adopt a more aggressive stand with the state.<ref>Caher, "Public Employees Union Replaces Chief Negotiator," ''Albany Times-Union'', September 9, 1999.</ref> The state countered with a 3 percent per year salary increase over four years, coupled with new restrictions on time off for union business, higher health care costs, and new worktime reporting requirements (all of which PEF rejected).<ref>Caher, "PEF Leaders Reject State's Contract Offer," ''Albany Times-Unionm'' October 2, 1999.</ref> At a rally at the state capital on January 5, 2000, some 5,000 (state estimate) to 25,000 (PEF estimate) workers peacefully confronted 25 Albany police and 300 New York State troopers.<ref>Benjamin, "State Employees Brave Cold to Ask Peacefully For A Raise," ''Albany Times-Union'', January 6, 2000.</ref><ref>Jochnowitz, "Protest's Security at Question," ''Albany Times-Union'', January 7, 2000.</ref> PEF revised its wage offer to 12 percent over three years.<ref>Jochnowitz, "State Workeers Union Offers New Pay Hike Proposal," ''Albany Times-Union'', February 22, 2000.</ref> Benson accused the state in March 2000 of dragging out the negotiations, and began a statewide radio advertising campaign against the governor.<ref>Jochnowitz, "PEF Head Accuses State of Retaliation," ''Albany Times-Union'', March 28, 2000.</ref><ref>Jochnowitz, "PEF Radio Blitz Takes Aim at Governor Over Contract," ''Albany Times-Union'', April 4, 2000.</ref> In April, PEF accepted a contract with the [[New York State Canal Corporation]] with a 3 percent per year salary hike.<ref>"PEF Accepts Canal Corp. Contract," ''Albany Times-Union'', April 5, 2000.</ref> Days later, after another state union accepted a contract containing a 13.6 percent raise over four years, about 2,000 PEF members held a noisy rally outside the governor's offices demanding faster negotiations.<ref>Jochnowitz, "PEF Blasts Slow Contract Talks," ''Albany Times-Union'', April 7, 2000.</ref> Two weeks afterward, PEF agreed to end its advertising campaign and rallies as a spur to negotiations.<ref>Jochnowitz, "CSEA Pact Wins".</ref><ref>PEF Adopts New Strategy," ''Albany Times-Unionm'' April 29, 2000.</ref> A week later, Governor George Pataki agreed to wage and pension COLAs.<ref>Stashenko, "Pataki Supports Pension COLA," ''Albany Times-Union'', May 6, 2000.</ref><ref>Jochnowitz, "Cost-of-Living Hikes to Become Permanent," ''Albany Times-Union'', July 11, 2000.</ref> A tentative agreement reached on June 10, 2000, incorporated a 13 percent wage hike over four years, rejected the new working time data collection methods, and imposed slight increases in member health care payments.<ref>"PEF OKs Tentative Contract," Associated Press, June 11, 2000.</ref><ref>"Governor and Union Agree on 14% Raises," ''New York Times'', June 11, 2000.</ref><ref>"PEF Leaders Approve Four-Year Contract," ''Albany Times-Union'', June 28, 2000.</ref> Union members approved the contract by a vote of 33,899 to 2,876.<ref>Odato, "PEF Members Approve New Pact," ''Albany Times-Union'', August 12, 2000.</ref>

Benson revealed a financial scandal in the union during his first term in office. In July 1999, PEF sued former president James Sheedy and other former officers for allegedly [[Embezzlement|embezzling]] more than $62,000 from the union.<ref name="EmbezzleSheedy">"Suit Says Former Leaders Embezzled Union Money," ''New York Times'', July 19, 1999.</ref><ref>Grace, "Union Accuses Ex-President of Embezzling Funds," ''Albany Times-Union'', July 17, 1999.</ref> The union's lawsuit said the officers reimbursed themselves financially for sick leave they never took.<ref name="EmbezzleSheedy" /> But the PEF executive board retroactively approved the sick leave buybacks in a private meeting in August 1999, forcing Benson to drop the lawsuit.<ref>"PEF Acts to Sanction Sick Leave Cash-Ins," ''Albany Times-Union'', August 30, 1999.</ref> Nonetheless, former PEF Secretary-Treasurer Patricia Ford was convicted of [[bribery]] in June 2003.<ref>"Former Union Secretary-Treasurer Convicted of Taking Bribe," Associated Press, June 20, 2003.</ref>

Benson was re-elected without opposition in late 2000. He and his slate of officers were easily renominated, while an opponent received only 17 of the necessary 4,998 signatures needed to run for office.<ref>"PEF President's Rival Falls Short on Nomination," ''Albany Times-Union'', May 4, 2000.</ref> During Benson's second term, several PEF members died during the [[September 11 attacks]] on [[New York City]]. Of the 300 PEF members who worked in the [[World Trade Center (1973–2001)|World Trade Center]], 34 were killed in the attack.<ref>Chang, "A Month Later, State Employees Hold Memorial Service for WTC Victims," Associated Press, October 11, 2001.</ref><ref>"McGeehan, "Employees Say No to Freedom Tower," ''New York Times'', September 19, 2006.</ref>

One of PEF's larger campaigns during Benson's time in office was fighting health care cutbacks in New York state. For several years, the union protested against staff layoffs and the closure of hospitals and other health care facilities.<ref name="CryOut">Crowley, "Unions Cry Out for Remedy to Hospital Proposal," ''Albany Times-Union'', December 14, 2006.</ref><ref name="MoreSuits">Karlin, "More Suits Fight Hospital Closures," ''Albany Times-Union'', March 28, 2007.</ref><ref>Benjamin, "Unions Protest Mental Health Moves," ''Albany Times-Union'', March 18, 2003.</ref> PEF also sought increases in the number of health care workers on staff, an end to mandatory [[overtime]], and minimum worker-to-patient staffing ratios.<ref>Stashenko, "Union, Nurses Endorse Assembly Bills to Bolster Profession," Associated Press, May 14, 2001.</ref><ref>Odato, "State Union Nurses Press for Solutions to Shortage," ''Albany Times-Union'', May 15, 2001.</ref><ref>Harlin, "Nurses Urge End to Forced Overtime," ''Albany Times-Union'', May 5, 2004.</ref><ref>Wechsler, "Nurses Rally for End to Mandatory Overtime," ''Albany Times Union'', May 17, 2005.</ref>

Benson was re-elected without opposition to a third term in 2003, the first time any PEF president had been elected to a third term.<ref>"PEF Union Members Elect President to 3rd Term," ''Albany Times-Union'', May 9, 2003.</ref><ref>"Benson Wins Third Term As Union President," Associated Press, May 8, 2003.</ref>

Benson immediately entered into negotiations for a new contract after his re-election. Initially, PEF had hopes for easier contract negotiations after Governor Pataki fulfilled a promise to give PEF members three additional days of sick leave per year.<ref>Odato, "Sick-Day Award Adds Liability," ''Albany Times-Union'', March 4, 2003.</ref> But after working without a contract for a year, PEF members found that Pataki proposed contract concessions in order to bring the state's budget into balance.<ref>Chang, "Labor Unions Negotiate Contract As Work Force Declines," Associated Press, January 28, 2004.</ref> In March 2004, after CSEA agreed to a four-year contract with an average 2.85 percent wage increase each year, Benson denounced Pataki's offer of 1 percent per year to PEF members<ref>Odato, "CSEA, State Agree on 4-Year Contract," ''Albany Times-Union'', March 6, 2004.</ref> and a cap on state contributions to the employee pension fund.<ref>Odato, "Groups Eye Suit in Pension Battle," ''Albany Times-Union'', April 22, 2004.</ref> Once again, methods for accounting for working time became a major sticking point in the negotiations, with Benson characterizing this as a "deal-breaker."<ref>Benjamin, "Time Issue Hangs Up PEF-State Deal," ''Albany Times-Union'', June 29, 2004.</ref> But in July 2004, PEF agreed to a new four-year contract which included salary increases of $800 in the first year; 2.5 percent, 2.75 percent, and 3 percent salary increases in the last three years; and a new "locality pay" increase for workers in the mid-[[Hudson Valley]] region (where the cost of living was significantly higher than surrounding areas).<ref>"State and Union Reach Contract Agreement," Associated Press, July 19, 2004.</ref><ref>Farrell, "PEF, State Ink Tentative Agreement," ''New York Daily News'', July 28, 2004.</ref>

In February 2005, Benson declined to run for a fourth term in 2006.<ref>"PEF Leaders Announce They Won't Run Again," ''Albany Times-Union'', February 8, 2005.</ref>

One of the final achievements of the Benson presidency was enactment of legislation requiring the state to disclose the number and amount of money spent on private contractors. PEF began its campaign in the fall of 2005, and Governor Pataki signed the legislation in March 2006.<ref>Fox, "State Must Stop Private Consultant Contracts," ''Albany Times Union'', August 24, 2005.</ref><ref>Woodruff, "Union Pushes for Contract Disclosure Bill," ''Albany Times Union,'' November 22, 2005.</ref><ref>Kriss, "Union: Inspectors A Waste of Money," ''Syracuse Post-Standard,'' November 22, 2005.</ref><ref>"PEF Bills Keep Pushing for Tax Accountability," ''Albany Times Union'', February 24, 2006.</ref><ref>Odato, "Opening Books On Contract Services," ''Albany Times Union'', March 23, 2006.</ref><ref>"Pataki Signs Bill Sought By Union Against Consulting Contracts," Associated Press, March 22, 2006.</ref>

===Brynien presidency===
Kenneth Brynien was elected PEF president over Michael Del Piano on June 27, 2006, by a vote of 7,874 to 7,024 (a margin of 850 votes, or 5.8 percent).<ref>"'Members 1st' Ticket Wins PEF Election," ''Albany Times-Union'', June 28, 2006.</ref><ref>[http://albany.bizjournals.com/albany/stories/2006/06/26/daily30.html "PEF Vice-President Elected to Top Post,"] ''Albany Business Review'', June 28, 2006.</ref><ref>"Cicero Man Elected to Lead Public Employees Union," ''Syracuse Post-Standard'', June 28, 2006.</ref> Brynien said a major goal of his presidency would be to enhance PEF's legislative efforts in the state capital.<ref name="UniontoFlex">Odato, "Union to Flex Political Power," ''Albany Times-Union'', December 18, 2006.</ref>

Brynien and the union confronted a state proposal to close or merge several state-owned hospitals and other health care facilities during his first year in office. A state commission first proposed the plan in November 2006.<ref>Mulder and Kriss, "Privatizing University Hospital Debated," ''Syracuse Post-Standard'', November 22, 2006.</ref><ref>"Hospital Dilemma Waits On Spitzer," ''Albany Times Union'', November 29, 2006.</ref> Brynien and PEF strongly opposed the plan, claiming it would harm patients and lead to lower levels of care.<ref>Odato, "Hospital Closing Plan Gains Momentum," ''Albany Times Union'', December 2, 2006.</ref> PEF's parent union, SEIU, said it would not oppose the plan.<ref>"Hospital Closure Plan Debated Across State," ''Albany Business Review'', December 11, 2006.</ref><ref>Mulder, "SEIU: We Won't Oppose Hospital Downsizing," ''Syracuse Post-Standard'', December 7, 2006.</ref> PEF began a series of public protests and a legislative lobbying effort to prevent the closures and mergers.<ref name="CryOut" /><ref>Mulder, "Four Unions at Hospital Start Ad Blitz," ''Syracuse Post-Standard'', June 6, 2007.</ref> It also sued to prevent the plan from being implemented.<ref name="MoreSuits" /><ref>Mulder, "Unions at Upstate Sue to Halt Changes," ''Syracuse Post-Standard'', March 28, 2007.</ref><ref>"Unions Sue New York Hospital Closing Commission," Associated Press, March 27, 2007.</ref>

Brynien negotiated a new collective bargaining agreement for PEF in 2008. Negotiations for the new contract were short and generated almost no public notice. The four-year contract's terms, which were retroactive to April 2007 (the date the old agreement expired), included an average 4 percent wage increase per year, higher pay for employees working in or near New York City, new health insurance benefits, and improved educational benefits.<ref name="StatePefAnnounce">"State, PEF Announce Tentative 4-Year Contract," ''Albany Times-Union'', February 6, 2008.</ref><ref>"NY Reaches Tentative Labor Contract With State Workers Union," ''Associated Press'', February 5, 2008.</ref><ref>"New State Worker Contract Includes Higher Pay, Better Health Care," Associated Press, April 12, 2008.</ref> About two-thirds of PEF members voted in contract approval balloting, with the pact receiving 97 approval for those who did vote.<ref>"PEF Members Approve New Contract With State," ''Albany Times Union'', April 12, 2008; "PEF Members Approve New Contract With State," Associated Press, April 12, 2008.</ref>

During Brynien's first term as president, PEF also won a long-sought ban on mandatory overtime. Legislation on the issue was introduced in May 2007,<ref>"Nurses Seek Relief From Mandatory Overtime," ''Albany Times Union'', May 23, 2007.</ref> and on June 18, 2008, Governor [[David Paterson]] signed into law a ban on mandatory overtime in state facilities.<ref>Gormley, "Legislature, Paterson Agree to School, Nurse, Energy Deal," Associated Press, June 18, 2008.</ref>

Three months later, PEF successfully lobbied the state legislature to provide for permanent collection of union dues and a "fair share" provision in the dues structure. Under prior New York State law, the state was required to collect dues on PEF's behalf (through the state's payroll system) and forward these monies to the union. Non-members were not required to pay dues to the union, even though the union was required by law to represent these workers. This law required [[Sunset provision|renewal]] every two years. PEF had long sought a permanent version of the law, one which enacted a [[Union security agreement#Types|"fair share" provision]] requiring non-members to pay a portion of dues (for the services they received). The state legislature finally passed just such a law in July 2008, and it was signed into law by Governor Paterson.<ref>Peters, "Union Dues Now Permanently Mandatory for Public Employees," ''New York Times'', July 24, 2008.</ref>

PEF also became embroiled in major battles with Governor Paterson over the state budget, which occupied much of the remainder of Brynien's first term and the first few years of his second. When the [[late-2000s recession]] severely depressed New York state tax revenues, Paterson demanded that PEF and other state employee unions re-open their contracts and adopt a wage freeze and other concessions to help the state balance its budget.<ref>Bauman, "NY Public Worker Unions Oppose Reopening Contracts," Associated Press, November 10, 2008.</ref> PEF refused.<ref name="SichkoUrged">Sichko, "Paterson Urged to Reconsider Union Layoffs," ''Albany Business Review'', March 31, 2009.</ref> PEF countered by suggesting a program of [[Retirement#Early retirement|early retirement]], which lawmakers began discussing.<ref>Goldberg, "State Workers Join Budget-Cutting Foes," ''Syracuse Post-Standard'', November 18, 2008.</ref><ref>Bauman, "Early Retirement Possibility for State Employees", ''Associated Press'', December 2, 2008.</ref> PEF also demanded that the state cut the number of independent contractors working for the state, arguing that New York could save up to $700 million by reducing the number of contractors or reducing payments to them.<ref>Matthews, [http://www.stargazette.com/article/20081204/NEWS01/812040330/1001/news "Public-Employee Union Urges State to Cut Consultants,"] ''Elmira Star-Gazette'', December 4, 2008.</ref><ref>Gallagher, "Union Wants State to Rein in Spending on Consultants," ''Ithaca Journal'', December 4, 2008.</ref><ref>Matthews, "Union Wants State to Rein in Consultant Hiring," ''Westchester Journal News'', December 4, 2008.</ref><ref>Gallagher, "Consultants An Issue As Wrangling Over N.Y. State Layoffs Continues," ''Westchester Journal News'', April 11, 2009.</ref> PEF also urged the state to adopt higher taxes on the very wealthy and for-profit [[health maintenance organization]]s, which the legislature did.<ref name="SichkoUrged" /> Governor Paterson, determined to achieve spending cuts, ordered the layoff of more than 8,900 state workers on March 24, 2009.<ref name="SichkoUrged" /><ref>Gormley, "NY Gov. Orders 8,900 Layoffs," Associated Press, March 24, 2009.</ref><ref>Hakim and Confessore, "With No Union Concessions, State Plans to Cut 9,000 Jobs," ''New York Times'', March 25, 2009.</ref> Brynien and other PEF leaders were deeply angered by Paterson's proposal.<ref>Odato, "Unions to Bear Brunt of Cuts," ''Albany Times-Union'', April 8, 2009.</ref><ref>"NY Union Bosses Say Members United," Associated Press, April 8, 2009.</ref> Led by PEF, the state's public employee unions produced television commercials and newspaper advertisements depicting Paterson with his fingers in his ears and unwilling to listen to voters.<ref name="PetersAttack">Peters, "Unions Go on Attack Over Paterson's Layoff Threat," ''New York Times'', April 14, 2009.</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'' said that attacks were some "of the nastiest and most personal against a governor in memory ... rare even by Albany's relaxed standards of political decorum."<ref name="PetersAttack" /> Brynien said Paterson should be faulted for forcing the unions into such an aggressive stand.<ref name="PetersAttack" /> Brynien also announced PEF would sue the state to prevent the layoffs from occurring.<ref>Sichko, "Unions to Paterson: See You in Court," ''Albany Business Review'', April 8, 2009.</ref><ref>Karlin, "Unions Rail Against Layoff Plan," ''Albany Times-Union'', April 9, 2009.</ref><ref>Gormley, "NY Union Bosses Say Layoffs Would Threaten Lives," Associated Press, April 9, 2009.</ref> In response, Paterson said he would not lay off any workers if the state's unions agreed to a pension plan ("Tier V") for new workers that would provide much lower benefits.<ref>Odato, "Paterson: Pensions on the Table," ''Albany Times-Union'', April 11, 2009.</ref> PEF reached an agreement with the governor under which Paterson agreed not to lay off workers in exchange for a $20,000 bonus to 4,000 highly paid workers if they retired early within the next year; the abolition of 2,500 vacant jobs; the creation of a new tier in the pension system which would save $440 million over two years; and the introduction of a plan for workers to voluntarily cut back their working hours.<ref>Virtanen, "Paterson Deal With Unions to Avoid Layoffs," Associated Press, June 5, 2009.</ref><ref>Matthews, "Gov., Unions Reach Deal," ''Rochester Democrat and Chronicle'', June 6, 2009.</ref><ref>Lisberg, "Paterson and Unions Set to Avoid Layoffs With Pension, Buyout Deal," ''New York Daily News'', June 5, 2009.</ref><ref>Odato, "State Workers Await $20,000 Deal," ''Albany Times-Union'', June 5, 2009.</ref><ref>Karlin, "Tier V Praised As Saving Billions," ''Albany Times-Union'', December 11, 2009.</ref>

Brynien was re-elected as PEF's president in June 2009 after no opposition candidate emerged.<ref>Halbrook, [http://www.thecommunicator.org/062009/electionpef.htm "PEF Top Officers Get New 3-Year Terms,"] ''PEF Communicator'', June 2009.</ref>

In October 2009, PEF also fought a campaign to prevent the state from ordering the mandatory [[Vaccine|vaccination]] of thousands of state health care workers against the [[Influenza A virus subtype H1N1|H1N1 flu virus]] (popularly known as the "swine flu"). The state ordered the mandatory vaccinations on September 30, 2009. Brynien and other PEF leaders demanded that the state make the vaccinations voluntary, arguing that the mass vaccination plan did not provide for exemptions for worker safety, such as pregnant women or those with severe allergies; the vaccine had not yet been properly tested for safety; and the vaccine did not provide enough protection to outweigh the invasion of civil rights.<ref>Mulder, "Up In Arms Over Mandatory Flu Shots," ''Syracuse Post-Standard'', October 2, 2009.</ref> PEF sued, and on October 15 a state court agreed and imposed a temporary injunction preventing implementation of the plan.<ref>"NY Judge Temporarily Blocks Mandatory Flu Vaccines," ''Associated Press'', October 16, 2009.</ref><ref>Matthews, "Union Gets Restraining Order On State's H1N1 Mandate," ''Westchester Journal News'', October 17, 2009.</ref><ref>Hartocollis and Chan, "Albany Judge Blocks Vaccination Rule," ''New York Times'', October 17, 2009.</ref><ref>Mulder, "Judge Blocks Forced Flu Shots," ''Syracuse Post-Standard'', October 17, 2009.</ref><ref>Crowley, "Court Halts Flu Order" ''Albany Times Union'', October 17, 2009.</ref><ref>"Public-Workers Union Sues State Over H1N1 Vaccine Mandate," ''Poughkeepsie Journal'', October 16, 2009.</ref> The state withdrew its plan a week later.<ref>Bauman, "NY Officials Rescind Mandatory H1N1 Flu Shot Order," Associated Press, October 23, 2009.</ref>

Six months after the pension deal was reached, however, Governor Paterson announced he would seek to prevent PEF members from receiving their scheduled 4 percent salary increase and seek [[furlough]]s of state workers to help close yet another budget deficit. Paterson raised the issues of furloughs in mid-August, just two months after the pension deal was reached.<ref>Demare, "Unions Fighting Forced Days Off," ''Albany Times-Union'', August 12, 2009.</ref> PEF countered once again by arguing that the state spent $3 billion a year on 23,000 consultants at a cost that was 62 percent higher than hiring a permanent worker.<ref>"Union, Assembly Push to End 'Temporary' Hires," Associated Press, January 14, 2010.</ref> On April 1, 2010, Paterson demanded that PEF forgo its scheduled wage hike, but PEF refused to do so.<ref>Spector, "Paterson Calls On Unions to Forgo Raises," ''Rochester Democrat and Chronicle'', April 2, 2010.</ref><ref>Precious, "Unions Reject Governor On Wage Freeze," ''Buffalo News'', April 2, 2010.</ref> About a week later, Paterson withheld the pay increase unilaterally, leading to strong denunciations by the union.<ref>Gormley, "AP Source: Paterson to Suspend Union Raises," Associated Press, April 8, 2010.</ref><ref>Scott, "Gov. Raises Hell With Union Pay-Hike Halt," ''New York Post'', April 9, 2010.</ref><ref>Spector, "N.Y. to Deny Pay Raises," ''Poughkeepsie Journal'', April 9, 2010.</ref><ref>Karlin, "4% State Raise On Hold," ''Albany Times Union'', April 9, 2010.</ref><ref>Confessore and Peters, "Paterson Says He'll Suspend Pay Raises For Workers," ''New York Times'', April 9, 2010.</ref> Two weeks later, Paterson announced he would seek to furlough half the state's workforce one day a week for the rest of the year in addition to the wage freeze, and the state legislature appeared ready to agree to the plan.<ref>"Paterson: Furloughs Would Ease Budget Woes," ''Binghamton Press and Sun-Bulletin'', April 28, 2010.</ref><ref>"Senate, Assembly to OK Furloughs," ''Newsday'', May 6, 2010.</ref> PEF began a legislative lobbying effort, but the legislature approved the furloughs.<ref>Spector, "Battle Over Furloughs Leads to Protests, Contentious Capitol Vote," ''Westchester Journal News'', May 10, 2010.</ref><ref>Gormley, "NY Legislature Votes to Furlough State Workers," Associated Press, May 11, 2010.</ref><ref>Madore, "Furloughs OKd," ''Newsday'', May 11, 2010.</ref><ref>"Unions Protest Locally Against 1-Day Unpaid Leave," ''Poughkeepsie Journal'', May 11, 2010.</ref><ref>Confessore, "Paterson Pushes Through a Bill To Furlough Workers for a Day," ''New York Times'', May 11, 2010.</ref> PEF and other unions sued to overturn the pay freeze and furloughs, and a federal district court temporarily prevented the state from implementing the furlough plan on May 11, 2010.<ref>Gormley, "Unions Go to Court Over NY State Worker Furloughs," Associated Press, May 11, 2010.</ref><ref>Gormley, "Fed Judge Orders Temporary Halt to NY Furloughs," Associated Press, May 12, 2010.</ref><ref>Madore, "Unions: See You in Court, Guv," ''Newsday'', May 12, 2010.</ref><ref>Precious, "Upholding Furloughs in Court Seen As Impossible," ''Buffalo News'', May 12, 2010.</ref><ref>Auer, "Judge Rules Furloughs a No-Go," ''Staten Island Advance'', May 13, 2010.</ref><ref>Madore, "Furloughs Barred," ''Newsday'', May 13, 2010.</ref><ref>Matthews, "Restraining Order Blocks N.Y. Furlough Plan," ''Westchester Journal News'', May 13, 2010.</ref> The court also ordered the state to restore the wage increase.<ref>Precious, "Court Stops Furloughs, Orders State to Pay Raises," ''Buffalo News'', May 13, 2010.</ref> The court made the injunction permanent about two weeks later.<ref>Matthews, "Federal Judge Delays Decision On State Worker Furloughs," ''Westchester Journal News'', May 26, 2010.</ref><ref>Confessore, "A Federal Judge Blocks Paterson's Furlough Plan," ''New York Times'', May 29, 2010.</ref><ref>Madore, "Furloughs Benched," ''Newsday'', May 29, 2010.</ref>

Governor Paterson then proposed laying off 10,000 state workers on January 1, 2011 (the day after his no-layoff pledge with the unions expired)—a plan PEF also opposed.<ref>Madore, "Paterson, Silver Warn of Layoffs," ''Newsday'', May 18, 2010.</ref><ref>Virtanen, "NY Governor Planning for Mass State Worker Layoffs," ''Associated Press'', June 1, 2010.</ref><ref>Precious, "Paterson Will Target State Layoffs Jan. 1," ''Buffalo News'', June 2, 2010.</ref><ref>Confessore, "Paterson Defends Layoff Plan, Blaming Union Leaders," ''New York Times'', June 2, 2010.</ref><ref>Dicker, "Gov Sharpens Ax – Laying Groundwork for Layoffs," ''New York Post'', June 2, 2010.</ref><ref>Madore and Epstein, "Paterson Plans For Layoffs," ''Newsday'', June 2, 2010.</ref><ref>Confessore, "Governor Now Focuses On Layoffs to Cut Budget," ''New York Times'', June 1, 2010.</ref>

On June 1, 2010, during the height of the tension created by the fiscal crisis, ''The New York Post'' ran an article revealing that Ken Brynien had enjoyed an increase in salary of $25,000 annually from $112,440 in 2008 to $137,622 in 2010.

===Kent presidency===
On June 25, 2012, Susan Kent, a credentialing specialist at the New York State Education Department, defeated Ken Brynien, 8,739 to 7,562. Roughly a third of all eligible PEF members cast votes. Carlos Garcia, a member of Kent's "NY Union Proud" slate, defeated PEF Secretary-Treasurer Joe Fox, 8,111 to 8,063. A number of NY Union Proud members also won election to the PEF executive board.  Kent pledged during the campaign to be tougher in negotiations with the state.<ref name="KentWins" />

=== Spence presidency ===
On August 1, 2015, Wayne Spence was sworn in as PEF's ninth president and first African American president, following a close election against predecessor Susan Kent that was decided by 127 votes.<ref name="SpenceSwornIn" /> A key priority for President Spence was to finalize ongoing contract talks with the Governor [[Andrew Cuomo]] Administration. <ref name="SpenceSwornIn" /> During the Kent administration, the union's relations with Governor Cuomo soured, culminating in the union's endorsement of [[Zephyr Teachout]] during the [[2014 New York Gubernatorial Election]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Karlin |first1=Rick |title=PEF leader stands by Teachout endorsement |url=https://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/225508/pef-leader-stands-by-teachout-endorsement/ |website=Capitol Confidential |publisher=Times Union |access-date=10 January 2025 |date=8 December 2014}}</ref> Spence's election win was seen as a reset in relations with the Governor's office.<ref name="SpenceSwornIn" /> Highlights during the first Spence term include the ratification of a one-year contract and a three-year contract in 2016 ,<ref name="PEF approves contract 2016">{{cite web |last1=Seiler |first1=Casey |title=PEF rank-and-file approves three-year contract |url=https://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/270210/pef-rank-and-file-approves-contract/ |website=Capitol Confidential |publisher=Times Union |access-date=11 January 2025 |date=14 December 2016}}</ref> and preparations for a Supreme Court ruling that threatened to end mandatory union dues.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Girardin |first1=Ken |title=Court case could impact New York public worker unions |url=https://www.empirecenter.org/publications/court-case-could-impact-new-york-public-worker-unions/ |website=Empire Center for Public Policy |publisher=Empire Center for Public Policy |date=25 January 2016}}</ref>

President Spence was re-elected for a second term in 2018 in a three-way race in which he received over 64% of the vote.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lombardo |first1=David |title=Wayne Spence re-elected president of PEF |url=https://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/283026/wayne-spence-re-elected-president-of-pef/ |website=Capitol Confidential |publisher=Times Union |access-date=11 January 2025 |date=26 June 2018}}</ref>  The start of the term was highlighted by the union's response to the [[Janus v. AFSCME]] Supreme Court decision that year, which declared mandatory union dues unconstitutional.<ref>{{cite web |title=Statement from PEF President Wayne Spence on the U.S. Supreme Court decision affecting labor |url=http://readme.readmedia.com/Statement-from-PEF-President-Wayne-Spence-on-the-U-S-Supreme-Court-decision-affecting-labor/15749571 |website=readme.readmedia.com |publisher=ReadMedia |access-date=11 January 2025}}</ref> During this term, President Spence coordinated PEF's initial response to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], including calling on the state to permit telecommuting among state employees, urging the state government to better protect its employees from the virus, and suing the state in response to reports about state employees being paid less than their hired rate for pandemic related overtime work.<ref>{{cite web |title=McDonald Questions PEF President During a Hearing on Impact of COVID-19 on State Workforce |url=https://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/John-T-McDonald-III/video/16161/ |website=assembly.state.ny.us |publisher=New York State Assembly |access-date=11 January 2025}}</ref> 

President Spence was re-elected for a third term in 2021, and PEF had to contend with the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the challenge of the state mandating the return employees to offices despite a surge of COVID-19 cases.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Reisman |first1=Nick |title=PEF president Wayne Spence re-elected |url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/ny-state-of-politics/2021/05/06/pef-president-wayne-spence-re-elected |website=spectrumlocalnews.com |publisher=Spectrum News 1 |access-date=11 January 2025 |language=en}}</ref> Highlights during this term include the 2021 ratification of a four-year contract (retroactive up to 2019, and lasting until 2023),<ref>{{cite web |title=PEF members ratify new contract |url=http://readme.readmedia.com/PEF-members-ratify-new-contract/18072072 |website=readme.readmedia.com |publisher=ReadMedia}}</ref> defending employees impacted by COVID-19 vaccination requirements and addressing PEF member concerns about returning to state office amidst a COVID-19 surge,<ref>{{cite web |title=PEF’s President Wayne Spence on Covid Challenges & Changes |url=https://www.mediasanctuary.org/stories/2022/pefs-president-wayne-spence-on-covid-challenges-changes/ |publisher=Sanctuary For Independent Media}}</ref> securing an agreement to successfully restructure nursing titles resulting in pay increases for PEF nurses,<ref>{{cite web |title=2023 Labor Power Players |url=https://politicsny.com/power-lists/labor-power-players/page/9/ |website=politicsny.com |publisher=Politics NY}}</ref> and the successful ratification of a three-year contract under Governor [[Kathy Hochul]] lasting from 2023-2026.<ref>{{cite web |title=Governor Hochul Announces Ratification of 3-Year Labor Agreement With Public Employees Federation |url=https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-ratification-3-year-labor-agreement-public-employees-federation |website=www.governor.ny.gov |publisher=NY Governor's Office |language=en}}</ref>

President Spence was re-elected to an unprecedented fourth term in 2024, winning re-election with over 66% of the vote.<ref>{{cite web |title=Incumbent PEF president clinches unprecedented fourth term |url=https://www.timesunion.com/state/article/incumbent-pef-president-clinches-unprecedented-19543411.php |website=timesunion.com |publisher=Times Union |access-date=11 January 2025}}</ref>

==Political activity==
Although PEF was politically active in the first eight years of its existence, it was not notably so.  That changed in 1986, the first time the Public Employees Federation engaged in an organized, statewide legislative lobbying effort (it sought passage of a "[[toxic tort]]" bill which would permit individuals harmed by exposure to toxic substances a longer period of time to file a lawsuit to recover damages).<ref>Chalmers, "PEF Members Launch Statewide Lobbying Effort," ''Albany Times-Union'', May 6, 1986.</ref> PEF also contributed $150,000 to state political campaigns in the first six months of 1986, ranking it among the top [[Political action committee|PACs]] in the state.<ref name="RothBoosts">Roth, "PEF Boosts Its Political Contributions to Gain Influence," ''Albany Times-Union'', August 3, 1986.</ref> This was more money than PEF had contributed in all of 1984 (the previous election cycle).<ref name="RothBoosts" /> PEF quickly became noted for the amount of money it spent on election efforts and on campaigns to oppose legislation it disagreed with. In 1987, PEF spent $36,822 on state political party-building efforts, more than any other group in New York State.<ref>"New York Lobbyists Spent $17 Million in '87," Associated Press, March 13, 1988.</ref> In 1988, PEF spent $570,841 on political campaigns—behind only the [[New York State AFL–CIO]] ($1 million), the Civil Service Employees Association ($704,875), and the [[Medical Society of the State of New York]] ($695,275).<ref>Lynn, "Campaign-Fund Hearings End Quietly," ''New York Times'', March 18, 1989.</ref> PEF spent $25,000 on an advertising campaign in the spring of 1990 to fight a plan to privatize state mental health services.<ref>Sack, "Cuomo Turning Budget Gap Into Tool to Sell Policy Shifts," ''New York Times'', February 21, 1991.</ref> In 1991, PEF spent $200,000 on an advertising campaign to defeat reductions in the state workforce and another $150,000 to support incumbents in state legislative election campaigns.<ref>Sack, "Cuomo Plan: Protect Jobs, Raise Taxes," ''New York Times'', May 10, 1990.</ref> It also spent at least $1 million that year on television ads urging the state legislature to pass higher state income and sales taxes.<ref>Purdum, "Realtors' Ads To Protest Rise in Taxes," ''New York Times'', April 2, 1991.</ref> In 1995, PEF ranked third among PACs in spending on state-level elections in New York, pumping $419,928 into these races.<ref>Dao, "Once Again, Record Levels Of Lobbying," ''New York Times'', March 16, 1995.</ref> In 2006, newly elected PEF President Kenneth Brynien, who had been a PEF vice-president for three years and chairman of PEF's political action committee for nine years, pledged to further boost PEF's political influence.<ref name="UniontoFlex" />

PEF has also been active in endorsing candidates for political office.  But some of these endorsements have proven highly contentious within the union. In 1990, PEF endorsed [[Mario Cuomo]] for governor, but the endorsement was bitterly debated within the union and the support PEF pledged to Cuomo's re-election effort was considered "tepid".<ref>Precious, "PEF Leaders Fight Over Gubernatorial Endorsement," ''Albany Times-Union'', August 14, 1990.</ref><ref>Precious, "PEF Gives Cuomo Tepid Endorsement," ''Albany Times-Union'', August 15, 1990.</ref> PEF remained neutral in Cuomo's 1994 re-election campaign.<ref>"Cuomo Wins Endorsement From Teachers," ''New York Times'', August 11, 1994.</ref><ref>Precious, "PEF Jilts Cuomo," ''Albany Times-Union'', August 6, 1994.</ref> Cuomo was defeated for re-election by George Pataki. PEF remained neutral again during Pataki's successful 1998 re-election bid.<ref>Perez-Pena, "Taking a Political Detour, Unions Shift Into Neutral," ''New York Times'', September 1, 1998.</ref> But in 2002, PEF supported Pataki for election to a third term.<ref>Gormley, "Pataki Lands White-Collar Union Support," ''Associated Press'', August 2, 2002.</ref> According to PEF President Roger Benson, the endorsement was a ''[[quid pro quo]]'' for Pataki's promise to add three days of paid sick leave to the union's collective bargaining agreement and for a promise not to lay off any state workers in the following budget year.<ref name="DewanBalk">Dewan, "Some Members Balk at Union Support for Pataki," ''New York Times'', October 1, 2002.</ref> Some PEF members were deeply angered by the union's endorsement, however, and an internal union poll of the union's health care division showed they overwhelmingly supported Pataki's opponent (New York Comptroller [[Carl McCall|H. Carl McCall]]).<ref name="DewanBalk" /> Pro-McCall members of the union submitted a resolution to the union's annual convention which would have rescinded the endorsement.<ref name="DewanBalk" /> PEF members voted down the resolution on October 8, 2002.<ref>Hernández and Archibold, "As Teachers Back Pataki, McCall Questions Motives," ''New York Times'', October 9, 2002.</ref> In 2006, PEF endorsed [[New York State Attorney General]] [[Eliot Spitzer]] in his successful run for governor.<ref>"State Employee Union Endorses Spitzer," ''Albany Business Review'', June 9, 2006.</ref> That same year, [[Andrew Cuomo]] ran to replace Spitzer as New York State Attorney General. PEF declined to endorse Cuomo, instead backing [[New York City Public Advocate]] [[Mark Green (New York politician)|Mark Green]] in his unsuccessful bid for that office.<ref>Odato, "Cuomo Secures Union Backing," ''Albany Times Union'', August 15, 2006.</ref> On July 21, 2009, PEF leaders indicated they might not support David Paterson in the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] primary if he chooses to run for re-election as governor.<ref>Hernandez, "Unions May Drop Paterson in 2010," ''New York Times'', July 22, 2009.</ref>

==PEF Presidents==
The following is a list of PEF presidents:<ref>"New York State Public Employees Federation, AFL-CIO, Environmental Conservation Division 169 (PEF/ENCON) Records, 1975-2000 (APAP-114)," Archives of Public Affairs and Policy, University Library, SUNY-Albany.</ref>
* John Kraemer (1979–1982)
* Elizabeth Hoke (1982–1985)
* Rand Condell (1985–1991)
* Howard Schafer (1991–1994)
* James Sheedy (1994–1997)
* Roger Benson (1997–2006)
* Kenneth Brynien (2006–2012)<ref>Benson, "Congratulations and Best Wishes to PEF's New President, Ken Brynien," ''PEF Communicator'', July/August 2006.</ref>
* Susan M. Kent (2012-2015)<ref name="KentWins">Karlin, Rick. [http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/137078/susan-kent-challengers-claim-win-in-pef-vote/ "Susan Kent, Challengers Win PEF Vote."] ''Albany Times-Union''. June 26, 2012. Accessed 2013-01-28.</ref>
* Wayne Spence (2015–present)<ref name="SpenceSwornIn">Seiler, Casey. [http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/239333/calling-for-unity-spence-sworn-in-as-pef-president/ "Calling for unity, Spence sworn in as PEF president."] ''Albany Times-Union''. August 3, 2015. Accessed 2015-08-05.</ref>

==Footnotes==
{{reflist|30em}}

==References==
{{Div col|colwidth=30em|small=yes}}
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{{Div col end}}

[[Category:Service Employees International Union]]
[[Category:American Federation of Teachers]]
[[Category:Education trade unions]]
[[Category:Healthcare trade unions in the United States]]
[[Category:Public sector trade unions in the United States]]
[[Category:Medical and health organizations based in New York (state)]]
[[Category:1978 establishments in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Trade unions established in 1978]]
[[Category:Colonie, New York]]