Statement of PEF President Kenneth Brynien on Paterson's threat of layoffs

It is unconscionable for the governor to continue scapegoating state employees and their families for the fiscal crisis or use them as pawns in his negotiations with the Legislature.

The governor was irresponsible in his remarks at an event today to suggest the possibility of layoffs within the state work force when it is still unclear how many state employees will leave state service through the early retirement incentive (ERI) .

The governor also once again suggested he is not bound by the no-layoffs agreement he made with the Public Employees Federation (PEF). This time, Paterson claims he can no longer comply with his no-layoffs pledge because of the lack of federal stimulus funding. PEF fully intends to hold the governor to his promise and will take whatever measures are necessary to do so.

We would hope that before the governor determines layoffs are inevitable, he would press his agency heads to allow as many workers as possible to leave through the incentive. The Paterson administration failed miserably in implementing the voluntary severance program offered last year, as hundreds of PEFmembers who were willing to leave state service were denied the opportunity to participate in the program. Now, it appears the governor is giving up on the early retirement incentive as well, instead of using his authority to direct agency heads to fully comply with the ERI.

It is disingenuous to limit participation in the ERI while claiming layoffs are necessary. We call on the governor to focus on making the ERI program a success, rather than planning for failure.

In addition, PEF reminds the governor of the millions the state could save by relying less on high-priced consultants, when research proves state employees can often do the same work for less. One step in the direction of realizing recurring savings is passage of the cost-benefit analysis bill. The bill has already passed in the Assembly. It would require a cost-benefit analysis before contracting out state services. PEF is calling on the Senate to stop taxpayer abuse and pass the cost-benefit bill.

PEF is the state's second-largest state-employee union, representing 58,000 professional, scientific and technical employees.

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