Donohue says exorbitant payout for Thruway manager in the midst of layoffs shows contempt for workers, public

ALBANY, NY (02/21/2013)(readMedia)-- News that the State Thruway Authority will be paying an exorbitant salary to one management employee just weeks after giving rank and file workers pink slips adds insult to injury, according to CSEA President Danny Donohue.

The Thruway Authority will be paying Peter Sanderson $340,000 annually as a project director for the Tappan Zee Bridge project. Meanwhile, 234 hands-on workers represented by CSEA and other unions who keep the state Thruway and Canal System operating every day are told to "hit the road," in a move that has nothing to do with saving money or the public interest.

"Governor Cuomo's priorities are out of whack," said an angry Donohue. "This is disgraceful in every way, paying one employee that kind of money at the same time he is laying off necessary workers to prove a political point shows contempt for the workers and the public."

CSEA believes the layoffs are political retaliation because ongoing labor negotiations with the state have not concluded. The fact that management employees and political appointees have been spared from layoffs is further evidence that unionized workers are being targeted in a vindictive action that makes no economic or operational sense.

"Governor Cuomo says his administration is about jobs and the economy, but putting dedicated workers out of work and undermining the state Thruway and Canal operations is a lousy way to promote a jobs agenda," Donohue said.

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