New PEF Leaders Sworn In, Commit to Fair Contract and Strengthening the Union

ALBANY, NY (08/03/2015)(readMedia)-- The newly elected leaders of the New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) officially took office today after they were sworn in at the union's headquarters in Latham.

The officers sworn to duty are: Wayne Spence as president; Kevin Hintz as secretary-treasurer; Adreina Adams, Peter Banks and Nikki Brate as vice-presidents; and, trustees Maureen Kellman, Maddie Shannon-Roberts and Sarah Lauser. All the officers ran on the Coalition of Union Professionals ticket, with the exception of Kellman who ran on the New York Union Proud slate.

"This day marks another chapter in PEF's history," Spence said. "The officers, who were sworn in with me today, are devoted to raising the public image of our members so New Yorkers can realize the true value of what a PEF professional contributes to their communities. We also are focused on negotiating a contract that our members will be eager to ratify. This team has been elected to protect what we have and will fight to save jobs and services statewide by uniting with other labor unions."

Spence is the first African-American to be elected president of the Public Employees Federation.

Hintz said, "As secretary-treasurer, I am committed to raising the bar to create more transparency and to restore the union's financial integrity, assuring the membership that their hard-earned dues are spent wisely and judiciously."

The members elected as regional coordinators and to PEF's Executive Board will be sworn in at the board's quarterly meeting September 10.

PEF is the state's largest white-collar union representing 54,000 members in professional, scientific and technical positions. For more information or press calls, contact PEF's Public Relations Department at 800-342-4306 ext. 211.