PEF won’t let lawmakers hide on contract

PEF members have a message for state lawmakers:
“If you want our support at the polls in November, you had better support our struggle for a fair contract now.”

That’s the message PEF members have been delivering to their elected representatives ever since the statewide contract protest at the governor’s State of the State Address in January. “Whether it’s writing letters, calling, or visiting legislators in their district offices or in Albany, our members are sending this message,” said PEF Vice President Ken Brynien, who heads PEF’s political action efforts.

“The lawmakers are also hearing about our contract issues at regional legislative receptions and breakfasts, and at events such as the annual Black and Puerto Rican Legislative Conference and union lobby-day events in Albany,” Brynien said.

But PEF has only begun to turn up the heat on the legislators, who all face the voters this year.
“We are keeping very close track of which legislators are willing to stand up for us when the chips are down,” Brynien said. “The lawmakers who wore our ribbons of support at the State of the State address, in spite of strong pressure from the governor’s office not to wear them, earned our respect and our gratitude.”

“We also truly appreciate the efforts of legislators who are speaking out and writing to the governor on our behalf,” Brynien said. “Contract issues affect all of our members,” Brynien said. “And, believe me, we will not forget which legislators understood these issues of fairness and respect and worked to resolve them.”

— Sherry Halbrook



READY TO LOBBY — PEF members (Left) San Vargas,
Doug Bullock, Barry Markman and Nithia Chatterjie
prepare to meet with their lawmakers on SEIU Lobby Day in Albany.
Thousands of Service Employees International Union members
helped carry PEF’s contract message to the legislators.
— Photo by Jonah Triebwasser

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DOWN TO BUSINESS — Region 9 members discuss contract issues with state Sen. John Bonacic in New Paltz. — Photo by Jonah Triebwasser

CONTRACT TALK — Priscilla Bocca fills
in Assembly Member Thomas Barraga on
the union’s contract struggle at the recent
Region 12 legislative reception. — Photo by Bob Jackson

PEF HERO — Assembly Member David Townsend
is thanked by PEF member Dan Ryan for wearing
a ribbon of contract support to the State of the
State Address. — Photo by Jonah Triebwasser

LET’S TALK — (Left) State Assembly Member
Adriano Espaillat hears all about PEF’s struggle
a fair contract at the Region10 legislative
reception in New York City. Shown are San Vargas,
Lucy Varela, Espaillat, PEF Region 10 Coordinator
Jennifer Faucher and Edwin Ramos. — Photo by Ken Dischel