Thousands of PEF Members Rally at the Capitol Urging Lawmakers to Hold the Line on the State Budget

ALBANY, NY (03/15/2012)(readMedia)-- "It takes might to do what's right!" chanted thousands of state employees represented by the New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) rallying at noon today in Albany's West Capitol Park. "This is what democracy looks like!" rang out as they waved blue towels, blew yellow whistles and called on state legislators to hold the line against the governor's attacks on state services and pensions.

"We are New Yorkers and we serve New Yorkers," said PEF President Ken Brynien. "State senators and Assembly members serve New Yorkers too. We must stand together and hold the line against attacks on middle class working families and on the most fragile and powerless among us.

"The governor's budget is packed full of sneak attacks on services to cancer patients, New Yorkers with mental illness and developmental disabilities, and troubled children," Brynien said. "The governor is trying to undercut the legislators' power to represent the New Yorkers who elect them. The governor is demanding the right to sidestep laws that force the state to hire and promote only the most qualified individuals.

"The governor calls it all reform, but we all know and many legislators know that's just so much political spin!" Brynien said. "Mr. Cuomo wants all the power for himself, and that is not democracy!"

Other speakers included state Sen. Diane Savino, PEF Vice Presidents Joe Fox, Pat Baker and Tom Comanzo, as well as representatives of the Civil Service Employees Association and the NYS United Teachers.

The New York State Public Employees Federation, AFL-CIO is the state's second largest state-employee union. It represents approximately 54,000 professional, scientific and technical employees of New York State and other public and private employers. For more information, please contact PEF spokesperson Sherry Halbrook at 800-342-4306, ext. 277, on her cell at 518 396-8201, or on a backup cell at 518 605-2772 (today only).