FEDERAL COURT RULES IN CSEA'S FAVOR

CSEA President Danny Donohue talks with Statewide Secretary Denise Berkley at the Spring Workshop in New York City on May 22.

(photo by Ove Overmyer)

Albany, N.Y.--A federal court ruling today prevents Gov. Paterson from enacting state worker furloughs, one of the stopgap solutions he'd proposed to address the ever-widening hole in the state budget. 

Judge Lawrence Kahn ruled Paterson's furlough proposal would be put permanently on hold and said that the governor's attempt to withhold 4 percent pay raises from unionized workers since April 1 violated the terms of existing union contracts.

In a press statement from CSEA President Danny Donohue released earlier this morning about the court decision, he said, "Today's decision is a victory for the rule of law in New York and should make it clear that no governor can run roughshod over people's rights.  Gov. David Paterson cannot disregard his responsibility to all the people of New York to ensure services and responsible government."

Donohue added, "CSEA can only hope that the Governor will recognize that his incompetent and arrogant approach to New York's budget crisis has been entirely counterproductive.  CSEA members are working harder every day under increasingly difficult working conditions.  We have offered numerous ideas to help address the crisis which have been contemptuously dismissed by the Paterson Administration.  It is time for Governor Paterson to stop scapegoating public employees, work to bring people together and develop a comprehensive approach to the overall budget problem that will be in the best interest of all New Yorkers."

Governor Paterson says he's "disappointed."  And, he called on legislative leaders to meet with the unions to try to find another way to save money for the cash strapped state.  Paterson had earlier threatened to impose layoffs if he lost in court, but he did not mention that possible option in today's statement.

To read a transcript of the decision, you can click here.