NY Gov. orders 8,900 layoffs
OPS_admin | Mar 24, 2009 | Comments 0
AP NewsBreak: NY Gov. orders 8,900 layoffs -By MICHAEL GORMLEY
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Gov. David Paterson on Tuesday ordered layoffs that could total about 4 percent of state workers after unions refused concessions amid a staggering economic downturn that was projected to push the state’s deficit to $16 billion in the next year.
Budget Director Laura Anglin told The Associated Press that the layoffs of nearly 9,000 employees would be the first since the late 1990s after unions refused to even provide counterproposals.
It was unclear if the eventual number of layoffs could be offset by attrition or early retirement incentives. Those are among the details that would be worked out in coming weeks.
The layoffs, which Anglin said could save the state $481 million over two years, could begin July 1. The state currently employs nearly 200,000 people. But only 141,000 are directly under the governor’s control and that’s where the job reductions will be made.
Anglin said unions have been informed and could still try to return to the table in the coming days before a budget is negotiated.
“We felt there was no other option at this point considering the size and magnitude of the deficit,” Anglin said in an interview. “We asked everyone for a sacrifice and the unions were not willing to have that conversation.”
The unions held their positions.
via The Associated Press: AP NewsBreak: NY Gov. orders 8,900 layoffs.
Filed Under: Economy - Labor
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