PEF Rally Calls out Bullying at Department of Financial Services in NYC

S.T.O.M.P. the bull made his union debut Tuesday outside the Department of Financial Services (DFS) in New York City, where PEF members and staff have experienced bullying management tactics, intimidation, and retaliation.

The 20-foot inflatable bull was blown up on the sidewalk outside 1 State Street in Lower Manhattan, where more than 100 PEF members work as investigators and other titles at DFS, the State agency in charge of regulating financial institutions in New York. Modeled after organized labor’s famous “Scabby the Rat” that pops up on city streets where non-unionized labor is employed, S.T.O.M.P. stands for “Stop Treating Our Members Poorly” and is a symbol PEF plans to deploy statewide to call out bullying managers.  

“We are here for a very simple reason,” said Vice President Darlene Williams at the start of the rally. “Every worker deserves dignity. Every worker deserves respect. And every worker deserves to go home without fear.”

About 100 PEF leaders, members and staff were joined by elected officials and members from other unions (NYSNA, CWA) in a show of solidarity at the rally. Speakers included Coalition of Black Trade Unionists President Terrence Melvin, NYS AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento, Chair of the State Senate Banking Committee James Sanders, Jr., incoming State Senator Grace Lee, Assemblymembers Brian Romero and Charles Fall, and City Councilman Yusef Salaam. Read more here!