CSEA to Governor Paterson: Stop Your Union-Busting

ALBANY, NY (04/10/2009)(readMedia)-- CSEA believes it is time for a reality check over Gov. David Paterson's continuing misrepresentation about the need for state layoffs.

The Paterson administration has repeatedly made it clear that the issue is not about budget savings for the state. The governor's political agenda is to extract concessions from the unionized state employees. There is no amount of savings that CSEA could help the administration achieve through any means that would be acceptable to the administration unless it involves reopening a fairly negotiated contract and inflicting pain on the unionized work force.

Their political agenda should be clear from their captive audience letter to state employees seeking to undermine their unions.

It should be clear from their decision to exempt management/confidential employees, including political appointees, from layoffs in a move that reflects bad management and bad public policy.

It is reckless and irresponsible to put people and services at risk in a scheme to layoff 8,900 people and threaten the services they deliver to the public all to try to score political points.

It all amounts to bad faith labor relations, which are not good for anyone. All New Yorkers deserve better from the Paterson administration.

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