


While layoff notices for potentially thousands of state employees were scheduled to go out Friday, the state Division of Budget is now saying that, due to the tentative contract agreement with the Civil Service Employees Union, those notices are being held back for members of other state employee unions as well.

“The announcement (Wednesday) changed the dynamic a little bit, and it makes us want to encourage other unions to come to a similar agreement,” said Budget Division spokesman Morris Peters.

“We’re holding on to those notices for the time being,” Peters said.

In announcing the CSEA deal (which still needs member approval), Gov. Andrew Cuomo suggested that other unions, including the Public Employees Federation, were getting similar contract offers. If they all say yes to the contracts, budget-driven layoffs could be avoided altogether. Cuomo has earlier said they might lay off up to 9,800 people as a last resort if his negotiators can’t achieve $450 million in workforce savings in the current fiscal year.

Most labor contracts with state worker’s unions have expired.

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UPDATE: The governor’s office is stressing that while the notices are on hold, they aren’t being called off and that the hold is actually a delay due to the fact that they now have to reconfigure the complicated bumping, retreat and other procedures that would come into play during layoffs. They will be taking CSEA members off the layoff list, but the domino effect of that will mean that the three-week notices for the first wave of possible layoffs won’t be in people’s hands on Friday.

  1. Disillusioned says:

    The Devil is in the details…..we are all now one illness away from bankruptcy!!

  2. 60% not 6% says:

    Raising healthcare contributions from 10% to 16% is NOT a 6% increase, it’s a 60% increase.

    If you pay $100/pay period now, you’ll be paying $160/pay period after that increase.

  3. Smith says:

    @Walt – “Why should we have to pay more, because we decided to get an education.”

    That’s the argument the millionaires use about taxes too. I take it you must be one PEF worker who doesn’t favor taxing the wealthy at higher rates?

  4. Smith says:

    @Government Gangsters – “Besides, state workers didn’t “bankrupt” the state, so they shouldn’t be punished.”

    You aren’t being punished, just as you weren’t rewarded. You are compensated for your services and then the employer doesn’t have enough money to keep compensating you at the same level, you will get compensated at a lower level.

    Don’t make it more than it is.

  5. ResidentX says:

    this entire contract process has not been about achieving financial savings to help with the current crisis. Its been about Cumo attempting to gain political clout for a higher office AND for long term financial extraction from the work force. 3 years of zeros itself yields a compounded amount of savings over the life of a career DWARFING 450 million supposedly necessary for the current year. Increased health care costs DWARFS 450 million in savings supposedly necessary for the current year. The co-pay increase yields savings for the state and its health plan that DWARFS 450 million. The furloughs are WAY beyond gratuitous.

    the governor has used the current financial crisis (which the country is slowly pulling out of) as a stage to wage financial hardship on public employees both now and for their entire careers. All while providing tax breaks for corporations and businesses that arent creating jobs AND also providing a tax break to the most wealthy people. I would consider this a felony committed against every citizen in the state by this governor cuomo

  6. President, Taxes too Damm Low Party says:

    “For the term of this contract only material or UNANTICIPATED changes in the State’s fiscal circumstances, financial plan or revenue will result in potential layoffs”.

    Is it just me or does anyone else see the eerie similarity between this and what Paterson tried to pull with Tier 5?

    This is protection?

  7. Carl K says:

    @ Observer Scout

    I honestly don’t give a rat’s a$$ what older workers are paying for, or if a contract reduces their FAS slightly. I expect that everyone will vote yes or no based on their own interests. My interest is in remaining employed. I’m lowest on the seniority list in my title in my layoff unit, and the only place I can “bump” to is my parents’ basement. If PEF is offered the same deal, I will be voting yes. I actually don’t think it’s really all that bad either. It’s not forever. It’s a 5 year contract.

    While there are those that will counter by saying “But this contract will cost you for the REST OF YOUR CAREER!” Well….to that I say that the rest of my career may very well be less than a month if the dark prince axes me. Not that I wouldn’t land on my feet (most likely in a different state). But I’d prefer to keep my career here if possible.

  8. Carl K says:

    @ Walt – spot on.

  9. MJ Later says:

    Darth Stateworker

    I have no idea how the CSEA local presidents could have been told that.
    It just proves to me that the CSEA leadership will tell their members anything to get a yes vote. Apparently none of them can remember the 1999 contract vote.

  10. Holy Smokes says:

    Everyone is MISSING the main problem. It is not our wages! It is not the decreased revenue, but that helps. It is the total system where big business pays legislators to get elected so they will pass huge spending bills to pay back big business in triplicate. Until something is done to stop pork barrel spending, we will constantly be abused. Croumeo wants to run for president. He is making friends with the rich by giving them the biggest tax break in history and scourging the poor workers to come up with the money he gave back to the rich. But, this is a totally broken system. There is no way to put checks and balances on the legislature. Even when voting, what are you give, “The choice between the lesser of 2 evils”? Our system was carefully set up to protect the rich and enslave the poor and it is doing a wonderful job. But, don’t worry, Obama is going to add the United States to the roll of Greece, Spain, Portugal, and Ireland. In less than 2 years the United States will be bankrupt. Then don’t be surprised when it turns out that China owns the United States as it can’t pay even the interest on the loans we have with them. China owns 80% of the US debt in bonds, most from China, but an awful lot from Europe with false identities purchasing them. 400 Billion for Afganistan and nothing to show. Government is totally corrupt. Ever hear of a politician going bankrupt or loosing salary. Take a look at a NY State senator’s retirement check.

  11. Observer Scout says:

    And one more thing I have to add….who would have the “advantage” for a public sector job in this job market?
    Would it be people age 50 and over? Absolutely NOT.
    So in my opinion the older people owe NOTHING to the younger to “save their jobs”!
    No one GAVE ME anything when I was younger so as to SAVE MY JOB, when I got hit back in 1996.
    It’s all part of growing up. So grow up you 20 and 30 somethings!!!!

  12. GetOnWithIt says:

    Vote No.

    Especially if you are near retirement and are looking toward a fixed income. The medical costs to you and your family will bury you. THAT is NOT what you or any of us signed on for.

    One accident, one illness and POOF, you are on poverty row.

    Further, if we give back medical now, we will never get it back.

    This would be the health plan that says “We offer medical benefits, but DON”T use them.”

  13. Vote NO says:

    Vote NO, CSEA workers in the first two years of this proposal will be in the negative. I want to know is the Governor and his staff, all the commissioners, asst commissioners,and political appointees be taking a nine day furlough? Read the language in the proposal — restructuring, and facility closing is the way the Governor is going to get around
    lay-offs. Danny Donohue should be ashamed to bring this to the membership.

  14. Government Gangsters says:

    “…the employer doesn’t have enough money to keep compensating you at the same level…”

    This is a crock of horse manure. The state can afford to give foreign companies six-figure tax breaks per promised job, can afford increases in welfare and Medicaid, and can afford unlimited Friends and Family appointee do-nothing positions. It can afford a fair labor contract. This is not it.

  15. G says:

    Conn. state workers reject their unions concessions. Same thing is going to happen here in NY.

  16. Superwoman Sometimes says:

    There are many people advocating that CSEA members should ratify this contract to protect the jobs of younger workers. However, it’s not just younger workers (recent high school or college graduates) that make up the potential layoff pool. There are older employees (40s and 50s) who have less seniority than some younger workers in that pool. I know several people older than me that have less seniority than I do.

    Still the contract proposal is lousy… period. I got one of those mass e-mails from the Governor’s Office outlining the proposal and it’s even worse than what the media is reporting. For example, although there’s an opt-out provision for the health insurance since the premium increase is outrageous, before an employee is allowed to opt-out, he/she will have to prove that they have other health insurance. In other words, a parent can’t switch to individual coverage and expect that their child can be covered under Child Health Plus since eligibility is contingent upon the parent not having health insurance through his/her employer.

    CSEA members should vote “no”.

  17. When things were better says:

    @The Fox.

    Your plea for compassion and unity are commendable. However your argument to consider single mothers falls on deaf ears with me. i have been present at several PEF conventions wherein attendance waivers, (attendance to the convention), are requested for members whom for wahtever reason did not register on time, and let me tell you it is the woman whom are the most vocal and mean spirited in their denials of these my memory, it has unfortunately also been the constituency of nurses who shout-out NO, to these requests, the same nurses whom ironically we trust to be compassionate. So sorry to all you true nurses but if you’ve attended a PEF convnetion then you have already witnessed this. So, when things were better, they still weren’t so great.

  18. Disgusted says:

    Mario Jr. will offer the same deal to PEF and dare them not to take it.

    If they do, he will commence the PEF layoffs as a warning to CSEA who doesn’t count their votes until August 12th.

    In the meantime, M/Cs are told they will take the CSEA deal and be happy with it–no negotiations. And by the way, the last three years of no raises is not my fault (although you are the only one who can fix the problem).

    Well played governor. You must be feeling pretty good right now.

    See you in four years.

    Stand up to the bully. Vote no.

  19. Carl K says:

    People wonder why unions get a bad rap?

    The unions generally support Democrats who drive up the cost of government (welfare, medicaid, mandates, etc.). The unions generally supported Obamacare, which is driving up health insurance premiums even more than before. Not like anyone could have predicted that….unless they ever heard of Romneycare and/or have two brain cells to rub together.

    Now half or more of the union membership is clammoring about the possibility of having to pay higher health premiums, after it is THEY who are at least partially responsible for driving up the premiums in the first place. It would be comical if my career didn’t likely hinge on the actions of my union “brethren”.

    The deal really isn’t that bad. Is it great? No. But those who try to portray it as though the world will end if this deal is ratified sound completely absurd.

  20. The Have's vs The Have More's says:

    The same people I hear espousing against the wealthy and how they have too much and how they don’t care about the middle class are now the same ones I now hear clamoring against a contract that could save even one middle class job (spare me the “there is no guarantee against layoffs” angle that you’re trying to herd young members with). Greed is a powerful emotion and it knows no social class. What do you people expect six 5% raises and a reduction in healthcare?

    Simply put, this is a microcosm of our country right now, a test, what side will you fall on? Those who vote to rid the system of more middle class jobs in pursuit of a paltry sum or those who would stand together and sacrifice for the good of others. The choice is simple.

  21. vote this DOWN says:

    Vote this down. Remember the Tier 5 deal: no layoffs. What ended up happening? Layoffs. The Triborough Amendment to the Taylor law is a trade-off for losing the ability to strike. The old contract will stay in effect, forever, until a new contract is ratified. Cuomo wants to do away with Triborough. Good Luck! I have 0 seniority. I would rather get laid-off than see this ratified — on principle. At some point, you have to make a stand. The recession is over. Tax receipts are up. Global Foundries wants to build another fab plant. The fiscal crisis – not caused by civil servants – will be resolved in 2013. Interest rates will stabilize, and inflation will start to creep up, but those 60% increases in healthcare will be there to stay. This contract is unfathomable. If you vote yes, you are effectively voting to decrease your current take-home income for a period of 5 years!! And you co-workers will still get fired.

    Vote no. Keep your old contract — it’s much better than this.

  22. carl says:

    I wonder if this is future for the CSEA vote (from today NY Times):

    Connecticut Budget Is Upended as State Workers Reject Deal

    Connecticut’s state workers had rejected a deal meant to produce $1.6 billion in labor savings over two years…The agreement, which called for wage freezes for two years and a guarantee of no layoffs for four years…

    Sound familiar ???

  23. Tired of It says:

    With the hiring freeze and the use of contractors/consultants over the past decade or so, how many “younger” workers will be left to actually do the work. I’ve seen many leave, but just a few hired.

    This is like the previous governor: Splash it in the media so it takes the focus off what’s going on behind the scenes. How many of those earning six figures are going to take a furlough day? How many are going to have to pay the higher medical costs? Are those in the entitlement programs taking a cut?

    Can’t wait to see how the ratification vote goes.

  24. 36 years never seen a worst contract says:

    90 percent of the members of CSEA and PEF will not be affected by layoffs so we if you ask them will they vote yes they may agree but in the quiet moment of the vote… they will vote no and they should. Give back now you will give back later.

    5 day give back. where in the private sector do they grab your payday?

    The gov appeals to our values, were a family…well we are the family from the poor side of town. Look at public authorities. They are truly an pimple on the lower backside of NY
    School supers are they really worth what locals agreed to pay them.

    Vote no, you are voting for the breath of your union. Our union leaders are scared of a bully.

  25. The Fox says:

    @Observer Scout and EJ:

    Here is my answer to your rebuttals:
    1. For kids college, wedding, etc – you should have either saved for those up and coming events long in advance or have them take on student and/or other loans – that was your decision. Families with young children shouldn’t be sacrificed for those whose kids are at an age where they can begin to fend for themselves.

    2. You both made financial decisions that led to where you are at today. My cousin and his wife saved and paid for their own wedding. I had to take on student loans to pay for both my undergraduate and graduate degrees. I know you want to help out your kids out, but these are different times and if they can save up and/or pay for their own expenses at an age where they can work, then what is wrong with that?

    3. As for taking care of your parents, then that is a good point; however, the real question is how many people in the state workforce does this? If there are fewer employees who do this compared to those with young families, then the sacrifice of a few out way the sacrifice of the many. What are your thoughts on that statement?

    @Observer Scout: my specific rebuttal for this statement “And yet, you expect THESE people to sign a LOUSY contract to “protect younger workers with families”? Now how selfish is THAT my friend????”

    Paying for your kids’ wedding and/or college is not a real selfless act. Anyone can do a selfless act for kin, especially their own kids. Selfless acts towards a complete stranger, however is something completely different. Having a young family to be able to put food on the table, clothes on their backs, and a roof over their head (in my point of view) is far more important than putting my kids through college and paying for their wedding.

    So basically Observer Scout: are you admitting that you would not help a stranger in need over paying for your kids college and/or wedding?

    As for number 3 & 4 arguments – taking care of parents whom are ill and grandchildren, I see a point; however, what areas of luxuries can you afford to cut?

    For example: like most people of this area you probably have cable, broadband internet, Starbucks coffee habit, and likely many other luxuries that you don’t even take into account that could be sacrificed to make up for any losses in percentage of income.

    As for retirement – you have the NYS pension, plus a 457 plan to boot, and you may even qualify for a ROTH IRA; either way you should have been saving from the time you started working until now. So basically again you are telling me that it is less selfish to save for your retirement now, than to have some family you have never met be able to afford some basic living essentials?

    The impression you give me can be summarized that you:
    1. Are an older worker near retirement who did not make sacrifices early in his/her carrier to save for retirement.

    2. Considers acts of kindness towards family as more selfless than towards strangers – it is easier to sacrifice for family than for strangers.

    3. Considers someone else selfish for pointing out the unwillingness of some of the older workers to make sacrifices for others.

    We are all selfish, but I am trying to show a perspective as to how some of you come off as individuals. The fact that you put your family first is an honorable idea (e.g. helping elderly parents or baby-sit grand kids), but to admit that you would rather see an entire family starve rather than sacrificing the ability to pay for your kid’s wedding and/or college, and saving for retirement makes your statement about me being selfish is kind of ruins your entire argument, don’t you think?

    @Pat Rishun:

    Thank you for having a reasonable rebuttal and not making the rest of us state workers look like a selfish *** to the public at large. Though I do understand your point, I also must point out that Spitzer did give us one heck of a deal; unfortunately, he was a rare exception. I think right now supporting the younger workers and making sure we all survive this recession is more important than trying to get something that we know the governor will not accept.

    Bulldog’s comments are right on target of what I had to deal with as a steward. There are people who are scared out of their mind about the threat of layoffs, because they just had a kid and/or bought a house, or just the fact that unemployment is so high. Am I to ignore these people for the benefit of a bunch of older workers who can actually count the days and hours they can retire?

    I think not. Pat, I would agree with your perspective during any other time period, but this recession is probably the only time you would find me disagreeing with it. If this was anything like the prior recessions before 2008, then I would agree with you and say that the unions should hold the line. I also want to thank you again for being reasonable instead of trying to split hairs, like the other two commenters; I find the fact that they think it is more important to pay for their kids college and/or wedding, plus saving for their retirement over helping a stranger to keep their job and support a family quite embarrassing, as these blogs are public.

    Other than that, I would like to see PEF obtain stronger layoff protections, unless there is a specific benefit to closing a prison and/or facility where they are either underutilized or not being utilized at all for at least the first 3 years of the contract or the entire contract at best, with a retirement buyout for older workers who have at least 25 years of service credit or over 50 years old (or both). I think an ERI would help remove some of the remaining holdouts near retirement.

    One last thing I would like to see is mandatory retirement for any employee who has received their maximum pension credits (e.g. 38 years of service) and the complete outlawing of double dippers. By setting up mandatory retirement, there will likely be more jobs for younger generations if the job is still needed to be performed within the state. It also gives those near retirement to take ERI (assuming management doesn’t block it) a little more incentive to take it. Any thoughts or comments about these two aforementioned suggestions (I am expecting a disagreement, but please feel free to humor me)?

  26. The Fox says:

    @Observer Scout #131 – your comments just makes my statements all the more truer. I had stated in a prior comment that some people present an (paraphrased) “if I get screw you should get screwed too” attitude.

    Here is your comment:


    Just beautiful, thank you for making my statement true.

    One last thing. 1996 was still part of the dot-com boom, so jobs were plenty; have you ever considered that???

    So with that in mind, I think you should consider this: “Even a fool is considered wise when keeps his mouth shut”.

    If you can help it, try to think about how you can help others, besides yourself. Be a light of hope, instead of passing the transgressions of those of the past to those of the present. This recession is far worse than those of the past since the great depression; we need to help each other until times are better, when jobs are plenty and layoffs aren’t as horrible as they would be today.

  27. The Him says:

    This contract is a farce, so are the promises of no layoff or reductions. I am not a CSEA member nor do I care for the union. The Teamsters would represent NYS Government employees much better.

    Firt of all layoffs are only on hold for two years, not to mention is cleary states that this hold on layoffs does not incude management’s decision to make cuts or reductions or SAGE reductions. If your working in a State facility such as a hospital (like Marcy State Hospital) or a school for the developmentally disabled (like the place in Tupper lake or Wassaic) your positions can be eliminated and its does not violate the language of this CSEA agreement.

    The economy cannot continue on this current path, if it does we will se a world financial collapse. Why would CSEA agree to a 5 year deal with no increase in pay for the next three, then when you do see an increase it will already have been gobbled up by an increase in health care costs. Dont even get me started on the furloughs. This contract is not acceptible by any means, especially after what we see private sector employers like G.E. and and Auto makers in Detroit are getting paid.

  28. Observer Scout says:

    @Walt and The Fox…

    Ok, let me put it into perspective for you.

    I will guess you both might be in your mid-late 20′s.

    If I were to go back to that age, I would be telling this stuff to people the same age as my parents!!!!

    You have a lifetime career to make it all up.

    We don’t.

    What makes you 2 so entitled that everyone has to give to rescue you??

    Oh that’s right, yours is the generation that has had it all handed to them, and expects to still have it handed to them.

    Get over yourselves and thing about your grandparents that more than likely lived through the Great Depression.

    And again I say, grow up.

    P.S. – I don’t particularly give a “give a rat’s a$$” if younger workers lose their jobs or not. You signed up for this, knowing how the system worked. Now grow a backbone and live with it.

  29. Observer Scout says:

    On and PS Fox … lovely sentiments, but that is not how the world works. We have all had to live through it.

    It just happens to be your turn to do so now.

    Stop whining like a baby for someone to coddle you.
    It is NOT going to happen.

  30. Observer Scout says:



    Yes I am in fact admitting that.

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