(ALBANY) – Reaction was swift from the Union presidents of both the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) and Public Employees Federation (PEF) after New York Governor David Paterson once again publicly floated the concept today of laying off state workers to help balance a growing $10 billion, 2010 budget deficit.

According to published reports, Paterson - who called for the layoff of state workers to begin immediately - ignored questions of legal responsibility to existing contracts with CSEA and PEF, while taking the time to criticize those Unions for not being part of an overall solution.   

Even though Paterson, a lame duck governor, has called for “greater sacrifice” from the state’s Union-Represented employees, he has failed over the course of time to consider and move forward on a number of recommendations made by both the CSEA and PEF – which Union Leaders say would save New York hundreds of millions of dollars, including paring down the State’s overwhelming use of outside consultants and contracted workers.

CSEA President Danny Donohue said in a released statement:

“Governor Paterson knows full well that he has a binding agreement with CSEA that has been upheld by the courts precluding layoffs before 2011.  He should also know that talk of layoffs under these circumstances is counterproductive, impractical and bad for New Yorkers all around.  They may also constitute bad faith bargaining.  It is also important to note the governor continues to stretch credibility when he insists the state workforce must be reduced while his administration refuses to target positions for downsizing through the early retirement incentives.  The fact is the state workforce is already stretched too thin to adequately do the job.  The governor can’t have it both ways.  CSEA has tried repeatedly to work constructively with the Paterson Administration, but its continuing assault on the state workforce undermines the very basis of good Labor-Management relations.  All New Yorkers would be bettered served if Governor Paterson would stop his inflammatory public statements and instead work with the Legislature and other parties to solve the state’s challenges.”

PEF President Kenneth Brynien said in a released statement:

“It is unconscionable for the governor to continue scapegoating state employees and their families for the fiscal crisis or use them as pawns in his negotiations with the Legislature.  The governor was irresponsible in his remarks at an event today to suggest the possibility of layoffs within the state workforce when it is still unclear how many state employees will leave state service through the early retirement incentive (ERI).  The governor also once again suggested he is not bound by the no layoffs agreement he made with the Public Employees Federation (PEF).  This time, Paterson claims he can no longer comply with his no-layoffs pledge because of the lack of Federal Stimulus Funding.  PEF fully intends to hold the governor to his promise and will take whatever measures are necessary to do so.  We would hope that before the governor determines layoffs are inevitable, he would press his agency heads to allow as many workers as possible to leave through the incentive.  The Paterson Administration failed miserably in implementing the voluntary severance program offered last year, as hundreds of PEF members who were willing to leave state service were denied the opportunity to participate in the program.  Now, it appears the governor is giving up on the early retirement incentive as well, instead of using his authority to direct agency heads to fully comply with the ERI.  It is disingenuous to limit participation in the ERI while claiming layoffs are necessary.  We call on the governor to focus on making the ERI program a success, rather than planning for failure.  In addition, PEF reminds the governor of the millions the state could save by relying less on high-priced consultants, when research proves state employees can often do the same work for less.  One step in the direction of realizing recurring savings is passage of the Cost-Benefit Analysis Bill.  The bill has already passed in the Assembly.  It would require a cost-benefit analysis before contracting out state services.  PEF is calling on the Senate to stop taxpayer abuse and pass the cost-benefit bill.”  

CSEA represents 300,000 members in New York State.  PEF is the state’s second-largest state-employee union, representing 58,000 professional, scientific and technical employees.