PEF members re-elect Wayne Spence as union president for historic fourth term

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President Wayne Spence

ALBANY, NY (06/26/2024) (readMedia)-- Ballots cast by members of the New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) for the union's top leadership positions were certified June 26 by the American Arbitration Association in Manhattan.

PEF members overwhelmingly re-elected President Wayne Spence for an historic fourth term with 6,212 votes.

"I am again humbled and grateful that PEF members saw fit to return me to office for this fourth term and I look forward to continuing our work together," said President Spence, who has led the union since 2015. "We've made great strides in the state workforce, but there is always more to accomplish. I believe that together we must continue to reform the state pension plan to attract and retain workers, clean up toxic work environments at certain state agencies, and address the workplace violence we're seeing too often at state facilities."

During his third term, Spence, a 35-year parole officer at the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, negotiated his fourth contract with the State, securing annual 3 percent across-the-board raises for PEF's more than 51,000 members; an annual stipend of $400 until the state found a new dental provider, which they quickly did this year; and a $600 Higher Education Differential recognizing the professional, scientific and technical skills of PEF members. All the contracts negotiated during Spence's terms of office contained no givebacks.

New officers will be sworn in Aug. 1, 2024, and will serve a three-year term.

PEF is the second-largest state employee union representing more than 51,000 professional, scientific, and technical employees working in more than 3,000 titles across New York State.