Public Employee Press

Workers hit gov’s layoff plan

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Chanting “Cut the waste, not the workers,” state employees rallied April 30 at Gov. David Paterson’s midtown office, protesting his plan to eliminate 8,700 state jobs to close his $17 billion budget gap.

“This story is all too familiar. The governor wants workers to give up what they have fought long and hard for,” DC 37 Associate Director Oliver Gray told the demonstrators. “We know there is waste in government. We say cut the waste, not the workers! Governor Paterson, take your fingers out of your ears.”

DC 37 state workers in Rent Regulation Services Employees Local 1359 rallied with a coalition of unions including the Civil Service Employees
Association and the Public Employees Federation.

“Fifty-eight of our members are targeted for layoffs,” said Local 1359 President Dennis Ifill. “We stand in solidarity. Any plan to cut jobs and funding is a threat to us all, and especially to our junior members, whose jobs may be in jeopardy.”

Speakers charged that the governor’s plan would damage the state’s flailing economy by wiping out 8,700 jobs and cutting the pay and benefits of tens of thousands of workers.

“The ripple effect could put as many as 70,000 private-sector jobs at risk, negating the impact of President Obama’s economic stimulus package in New York,” said PEF President Kenneth Bryien.

To resolve the budget shortfall, union leaders urged the governor to end contracts with high-priced consultants, which cost taxpayers $3 billion annually, and to expand the voluntary program that lets employees reduce their weekly work schedule and pay.

Paterson sent a mailing directly to 141,000 state employees, urging them to talk to union leaders about making concessions. Many of the leaders, who believe the letters violated labor relations laws, called on Paterson to come to the negotiating table instead.

Rally speakers warned the governor not to play politics with workers’ lives. “November 2010 is not far away. The governor needs to listen to us, or we will lay him off on Election Day,” said MLC leader Ed Ott.

— Diane S. Williams