CSEA AND PEF HOLD VIGIL CALLING GOVERNOR PATERSON "RECKLESS"

Albany, N.Y.--  Members and leaders of the New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) and the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) made a final appeal to common sense in New York state government as Gov. David Paterson prepared to leave office while laying off 902 dedicated state employees as his final act.

Union analysis of the layoff shows they will produce minimal direct savings to the state budget, while actually harming the economy and undermining revenue-producing state services.

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Representatives of the unions held a candlelight vigil on the steps of the state Capitol yesterday to criticize the misguided action and make a last-ditch appeal to have common sense prevail. Similar vigils took place outside state offices in Hornell, Endicott, Elmira, Utica and Poughkeepsie.

Union leaders said Gov. Paterson is proceeding with layoffs of mostly PEF and CSEA members out of political spite. The layoffs will create personal tragedy for the families involved, while harming New York's economy and wreaking havoc on state operations.

"The staffing levels at many state agencies already are down to bare bones," said PEF President Kenneth Brynien. "Not only are these individuals facing incredible hardships, their families are suffering, taxpayers will be affected through the loss of services, and local economies will suffer as well. Gov. Paterson should be ashamed that the final act of his administration will be to punish union members and their families because he wanted to score cheap political points. This historic action has been caused by Gov. Paterson and can be stopped by Gov. Paterson," Brynien said.

Danny Donohue at the
candlelight vigil Dec. 29
(photo provided)

"Gov. Paterson will make yet another nonsensical statement that the union leadership left him no choice but to proceed with layoffs," said CSEA President Danny Donohue. "By now, the public should be painfully aware that's just not true. Gov. Paterson has missed every opportunity to choose a better way. These unnecessary layoffs will link the Paterson administration forever with a legacy of failure," Donohue said.

The Paterson layoff scheme is using a loophole in a no-layoff agreement his administration made with PEF and CSEA in July 2009, in exchange for pension system reform the administration claims will save taxpayers more than $35 billion. The administration is meeting the letter, but not the spirit, of the no-layoff agreement by keeping the laid-off employees on the payroll until the final day of the Paterson administration.

By forcing the issue of layoffs in a six-week period and cherry-picking PEF and CSEA represented positions, the Paterson administration has created turmoil and disruption throughout numerous state agencies.