Statement from PEF President Susan M. Kent on the Decision from the Public Employment Relations Board

ALBANY, NY (12/22/2014)(readMedia)-- The president of the New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF), Susan M. Kent, received notification today concerning the decision from the Public Employees Relations Board (PERB) about the governor's recent attempt to transfer 2,500 PEF titles to management-confidential positions.

"PERB's quick reaction and positive decision confirms that labor unions still have a voice in what happens to its workers. The Governor's Office of Employee Relations (GOER) made an attempt to take positions that have been in PEF for decades and move them to non-union titles. GOER's application to do this only contained a mere conclusory statement. This news will certainly relieve some of the unnecessary stress to our members created by this extreme overreaching by GOER.

"If GOER submits a revised application to PERB, PEF will continue to fight for these positions. PEF is strong, united and determined to protect its members, and this union will make certain GOER follows all the correct procedures if it decides to file a new application and continue its attempt to weaken the membership of a union of dedicated professionals," Kent said.

PEF is the state's largest white-collar labor union representing 54,000 members in the professional, scientific and technical units.

-30-