Dear Supporters,

Unfortunately, after careful review of the Public Employment Relations Board’s (PERB) decision of the New York State Parole Officers’ August 2004 fragmentation petition (CASE NO. C-5441), the Freedom Foundation determined that it did not see a path forward at this time for Parole Officers to break away from the Public Employees Federation (PEF).  

Fortunately, our fight isn’t over yet. We are closely monitoring the case of Goldstein v. Professional Staff Congress (PSC) which challenges the constitutionality of forced “exclusive representation.” If the U.S. Supreme Court takes on this case and rules that “exclusive representation” is unconstitutional, public employees will no longer be forced to be represented by an unwanted labor union.  

Exclusive representation means that the union – and only the union -- has the right to bargain for, and control the grievances of members of a bargaining unit. Even employees who opt out of the union and no longer pay union dues are forced to be represented by the union. 

Currently, PEF is the exclusive representative for Parole Officers, even though most of us would rather be represented by the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA).  

In the meantime, while we wait for the outcome of Goldstein v. PSC, we encourage all Parole Officers, Senior Parole Officers, and Parole Revocation Specialists to stop paying PEF dues by clicking, here. Stay tuned for updates regarding the status of Goldstein v. PSC.  

In Solidarity,

New York State Parole Officers