NYS Public Employees Federation | New Hire Orientation
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New York State
Public Employees
Federation
New Hire Orientation
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NYS Public Employees Federation | New Hire Orientation
Welcome to your UNION job
• Unions have been around for over 200 years
• Unions bring workers together to level the playing field
and give you POWER & a VOICE at work
• Unions increase bargaining power to secure contracts and
laws that respect us, protect us and pay us
• We keep fighting for better working conditions:
~ OSHA ~ Paid Vacations ~ Overtime
~ Sick Leave ~ Pensions ~ Workers Compensation
~ 40 hr. Workweek and Weekends
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NYS Public Employees Federation | New Hire Orientation
Who are we?
With the help of our parent unions, AFT and SEIU, PEF was certified in 1979.
Prior to that, ALL State workers were CSEA.
PEF represents 50,000 professional, scientific, and technical employees of New York
State. We are diverse and serve the public in over 3,000 job titles in the fields of
Nursing, Social Work, Medical, Engineering, Counseling, Human Service Professionals,
Parole Officers, Law, IT, Teaching and Therapy, to name a few.
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NYS Public Employees Federation | New Hire Orientation
Where does PEF power come from?
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NYS Public Employees Federation | New Hire Orientation
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NYS Public Employees Federation | New Hire Orientation
Unions bring us together to make our
lives better
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NYS Public Employees Federation | New Hire Orientation
How you can be an active and informed
PEF member?
• Social Activities
• Division Member
• Meetings
• Letter Writing
• Welcome Committee
• Contract Solidarity
• Member Mobilizer
• Demonstrations
• Meet with Legislators
• Talk to Your Steward
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NYS Public Employees Federation | New Hire Orientation
Membership = Power + Solidarity
Our last CONTRACT included annual salary increases, improved vacation and family sick leave
benefits, health and safety provisions, professional development and tuition reimbursement
monies, health insurance coverage, dental and vision coverages and so much more.
PEF is MEMBER LED AND DRIVEN. Members vote for all PEF elected officials, as well as whether
or not to ratify our contract.
Members are able to participate in all union activities and events.
Members have access to the valuable benefits provided by PEF Membership Benefits Program.
Members are never on their own. PEF Staff and Leaders are there to provide answers to
contractual and non-contractual questions; civil service, labor management and health and safety
issues in the workplace; and provide representation with interrogations and discipline
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NYS Public Employees Federation | New Hire Orientation
We are stronger together.
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NYS Public Employees Federation | New Hire Orientation
Sign up now
at pef.org
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NYS Public Employees Federation | New Hire Orientation
Which Region are you in?
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NYS Public Employees Federation | New Hire Orientation
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NYS Public Employees Federation | New Hire Orientation
The PEF Membership Benefits Program
(A separate entity from PEF that provides a variety of benefits &
discount programs to active, dues-paying PEF members.)
Valuable Insurances
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance that provides:
• A cash benefit should you become medically disabled or unable to work due to an illness,
accident, surgery, or pregnancy
• A source of income to cover expenses (most adults only have enough savings to cover up
to 3 months of expenses)
• Needed protection as injuries and illnesses happen at any time, at any age
• Coverage that you are not eligible for via NYS Disability Benefits Law Coverage (you must
get coverage elsewhere)
• Group Term Life Insurance (should the unexpected happen to you):
• Guaranteed protection for those who depend on you for support (spouse, children, etc.)
• Income replacement to help your family pay off debts, pay living expenses, medical
expenses, etc., should you no longer be there for that support
• If you’re single─a cash benefit will help your parents or other family members who may
need to pay for funeral expenses, outstanding debts, etc.
Enroll within 240 days of your date of hire, no medical questionnaire required, up to the guaranteed issue amount.
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NYS Public Employees Federation | New Hire Orientation
Other Valuable Benefits
Free, one-hour, personal
consultation and comprehensive
financial overview with a certified
financial planner, annually. Receive
unbiased, objective financial advice
only. No investment or insurance
products are sold. A written
summary of recommendations will
be provided.
Financial Planning
Credit Counseling
▪ Participate in a free, one-on-one
consultation with a certified counselor
▪ Review your goals and circumstances
▪ Identify your income and your expenses
▪ Receive advise about your options
▪ Receive a customized action plan with
recommendations for the most
appropriate course of action based on
your unique situation
Student Loan Counseling
Debt Management Program
▪ Take advantage of a safe, effective way to responsibly pay off your debts in the shortest time possible
▪ Reduce interest rates from an average of 22% to as low a 0%.
▪ Reduce monthly payments to an average savings of $135 per month
▪ Achieve debt repayment is an average of 45 months
▪ Free financial education resources and credit counseling
services
▪ Save 20% on student loan documentation preparation services
▪ Ensure you are aware of all your federal student loan options,
before you borrow
▪ Receive counseling to help effectively manage your loans
▪ Get the latest information on all federal repayment
plans and public service loan forgiveness
▪ Discounts on loan document preparation, recertification, etc.
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NYS Public Employees Federation | New Hire Orientation
Other Valuable Benefits
Reliable advice from a powerful team
of legal experts, at substantially
reduced costs. Includes the creation of
4 FREE key estate planning documents
per year:
▪ Simple Will
▪ Health Care Proxy
▪ Power of Attorney
▪ Living Will
Voluntary Legal Service Plan Defensive Driving
Exam Fee Reimbursement
PEF members can apply for reimbursement of both
New York State Open Competitive and Promotional
Exams. To qualify, you must:
▪ Be an active, dues-paying member of PEF at the
time of the exam AND at the time the application is
received by PEF MBP.
▪ Provide a copy of the exam mark/grade to verify
that a passing mark/grade is received.
be reimbursed.
▪ Applications for reimbursement must be submitted
within 1 year of the exam date.
▪ Reduce the base rate of your auto and
motorcycle premiums by 10%.
▪ The 3 year, 10% discount applies to the
premiums for all vehicles for which you are
listed as principal operator.
▪ Helps prevent you from losing your license if
you have accrued more than 11 points on
your driving record.
▪ $25.50 classroom course/$19 online course
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NYS Public Employees Federation | New Hire Orientation
Other Valuable Benefits
Trauma Counseling
And Much More
▪ $15,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance for every
active, dues-paying member
▪ Auto, Home, Renters Insurance (Liberty Mutual & Farmers
GroupSelect)
▪ Liberty Mutual Pet Insurance
▪ Aflac Accident Indemnity Insurance
▪ Aflac Cancer Care & Specified Disease
▪ Members Mortgage Benefit
▪ Dignity Memorial Funeral Benefit
▪ Assault, Trauma & Captivity Coverage
▪ Legal Defense Benefit
▪ Discharge of Official Weapon Benefit
▪ Justice Center Benefit
▪ Free Educational Seminars & Webinars
CarePatrol
(Provided by PEF MBP and AFT)
• Eligible members receive up to three months of counseling at
no cost.
• Sessions are conducted with highly trained therapists via video,
phone, or text.
• Include 24/7 incidents such as aggravated assault, domestic
violence, sexual assault, mass shootings, and more, as well as
work incidents such as bullying, harassment, threats, infection
by contagious disease, etc.
• Services for senior citizens who are having safety and health
issues in their current living situations.
• Certified Care Advisors recommend the best independent
living, assisted living, memory care, nursing home, and in-
home care options.
• Care options based on individual and family needs, as well
as financial resources.
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NYS Public Employees Federation | New Hire Orientation
Discounts & Promotional Offers
MOVIE
TICKET
S
WATER
PARKS
THEME
PARKS
GIFT
CARDS
SPORTS
EVENTS
THE
THEATER
AIRPORT
PARKING
DISCOUNTS
SKI LIFT
TICKET
S
CAR &
TRUCK
RENTAL
S
TRAVEL
DISCOUN
TS
ATTRACTIONS
Contact the PEF MBP office by:
▪ Phone: (800) 767-1840 and use these prompts:
▪ Ticket orders/general inquiries: opt. 1
▪ Insurance: opt. 2
▪ Billing & Legal: opt. 3
▪ Retiree Dental & Vision: opt. 4
Email PEF MBP: mbp@pef.org
To stay informed:
▪ Visit our website 24/7 at pefmbp.com
▪ Subscribe to receive emails & follow us on
Social Media
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NYS Public Employees Federation | New Hire Orientation
Sign up for COPE
Federal Politics Matter to PEF Members - Social Security, State agencies funded by Medicaid,
Safety Regulations, Labor Laws, Pension protections, Medicare
Union dues cannot be used for federal elections.
Members and Retirees may contribute thru voluntary
payroll or pension deductions
Committee on Political Education
PEF’s Political Action Fund for Federal Issues
Administered for PEF by SEIU and AFT
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NYS Public Employees Federation | New Hire Orientation
Questions?
• If you have follow up questions you would like to discuss separately, you can email:
• Local Division Council Leader/Stewards
• Field Representative
• Scott Harms – Director of Organizing sharms@pef.org
• Christine Pluviose – Asst. Dir. of Organizing cpluviose@pef.org
• Libby Militello – PEF Regions 1-5 Organizer emilitello@pef.org
• Jess Carpenter – PEF Regions 6-9 Organizer jcarpenter@pef.org
• Lisa Pinkard – PEF Regions 10-12 Organizer lpinkard@pef.org
• Nora Higgins – Statewide Nurse Coordinator nhiggins@pef.org
• PEF Membership Benefits Program – www.pefmbp.org or (800) 342-4306, ext. 243
