DOCS CONFERENCE A HIT — PEF members and staff from the state Department of Correctional Services (DOCS) attend an open forum in Lake Placid in May for the annual conference and labor-management meeting. PEF’s statewide labor-management chair for DOCS, Tom Donahue, called this conference “one of the best.” Approximately 130 people attended including DOCS Commissioner Brian Fischer, hub superintendents and administrative staff. Donahue said two-way communication and professionalism was the key to making the event a success. The main topics discussed at the conference were: mental health issues in facilities, which resulted in the formation of a new committee; overtime for nurses; and funding for new personal safety alarms for Auburn CF, Gowanda CF and Sing Sing. — Photo by Lorraine Wood

FOR HIS SACRIFICE — PEF Division 169 members from the White Plains state Department of Environmental Conservation office gather June 13 to dedicate a tree and memorial to Chris Vidhyarkorn, a co-worker who was killed in Iraq during his tour of duty on September 29, 2007. Vidhyarkorn’s family, DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis and Regional Director Willie Janeway also attended. The memorial was organized by Todd Ghiosay.
— Photo by Patrick Ferracane