For the AFT and SEIU conventions the following rules apply:

1. In order to be nominated, a dues-paying member must obtain the signatures of fifty (50) other members from within the designated title groupings for this convention (see listings).

2. A nominee may not sign his/her own petition.

3. A member may sign only one (1) nominating petition.

4. The accuracy of the information contained in the petition is the responsibility of the person filing the petition.

5. Original petitions must be returned to PEF-Albany Headquarters c/o Delegate Election Committee at PO Box 12414. Albany, NY 12212-2414 and received no later than 5 p.m. March 10, 2008. Received means ‘‘in-hand” not mailed or post-marked. Faxing of petitions will not be allowed.

6. Petitions may be returned by certified mail (return receipt requested), although this is not required. Certified mail sometimes takes longer than regular mail. Postal failures or inadequacies are a matter between the mailer and the post office, not the Elections Committee. Allow five (5) days or more for mailing to be safe. PEF sends each nominee a notice of receipt.

7. Per PEF Constitution and Executive Board policy, the five (5) statewide officers are automatic delegates to the AFT and SEIU Conventions.

8. In addition to the statewide officers, a minimum of ten (10) elected delegates will comprise the PEF delegation to the convention for AFT and 20 for SEIU’s.

9. (a) If ten (10) or fewer valid nominating petitions are received, those individuals who submitted a valid petition will be deemed duly elected for AFT.

(b) If twenty (20) or fewer valid nominating petitions are received, those individuals who submitted a valid petition will be deemed duly elected for SEIU.

10. The Secretary-Treasurer will provide the Delegate Election Committee with the estimated cost of sending one delegate to the forthcoming AFT and SEIU Conventions. In addition, the Secretary-Treasurer will provide the committee with a cost estimate for holding an election. The committee will determine the breakdown of the total number of delegates that could attend the convention, compared with the cost of holding an election. This will be determined by dividing the cost of holding an election by the cost of sending one delegate to the convention. If the total number of valid petitions received is equal to or fewer than the break-even number, all individuals who submitted valid petitions will be deemed duly elected delegates and no election will be held. The maximum number of delegates cannot exceed our authorized number of seats.

11. If the number of valid petitions received is greater than the break-even total (see #10), an election will be held (see Convention Information). Alternates will fill the delegate openings by rank order or the number of votes received in case of an election. Ties will be broken by lot.

1. No EOL (Employee Organization Leave) will be provided for delegates attending the AFT/SEIU Conventions.

2. Travel and lodging will be arranged and provided by PEF.

3. A per-diem allowance for meals will be provided by PEF.

4. AFT Convention
Site: Chicago, IL
Dates: July 10 -14, 2008.
PEF title groups eligible to attend the AFT convention: A, B, C, D, F, Q and S.

5. SEIU Convention
Site: Puerto Rico
Dates: May 31- June 5, 2008.

PEF title groups eligible to attend the SEIU convention: E, G, H, J, K, M, N, O, P and R.
6. Dates To Remember

A. Nominating petitions will be available at all PEF offices for potential candidates to pick up during regular office hours starting 9 a.m. – February 11, 2008 and are due back by 5 p.m. – March 10, 2008.

B. Elections (if needed) will begin with ballots being mailed by March 24, 2008 with a return date of 5 p.m. April 21, 2008.

AFT PEF job-title groupings
A. Nurses and related nursing titles.

B. Engineers, right-of-way agents, designers, architects, drafting and related engineering technicians, pilots and conservation titles.

C. Teachers, librarians, trainers and related educational titles.

D. Doctors, dentists, psychiatrists, psychologists, dieticians, veterinarians, pharmacists, health-care, home-economist and related medical researchers.

F,Q,S. Chaplains, scientists, cultural affairs specialists, related artists and sciences professionals, management personnel and related administration specialists, planners and supervisors.

SEIU PEF job-title groupings
E. Social workers and social services.

G. Attorneys, referees, hearing officers, hearing examiners, mediators and judges.

H. Therapists, rehabilitators.

J. Parole officers, drug abuse counselors, and related law enforcement professionals.

K,R. Computer professionals, superintendents, maintenance specialists, technicians and skilled tradesman.

M. Claim examiners, investigators and inspectors.

N. All counselors.

O. Interviewers, manpower specialists, OJT specialists, apprenticeship reps., consultants and field reps.

P. Accountants, auditors, estimators, statisticians, examiners, appraisers, analysts, head clerks, reporters.

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