Tuesday, March 24, 2009

State planning layoffs of 8,900 jobs, times union,3/24/09

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State planning layoffs: 8,900 jobs to be trimmed from payroll
Letter cites failure to secure givebacks from unions

By RICK KARLIN, Capitol bureau Click byline for more stories by writer. Last updated: 4:56 p.m., Tuesday, March 24, 2009
ALBANY — Citing a $16.2 billion budget deficit that appears to be growing larger by the day, Gov. David Paterson this afternoon said his administration will eliminate 8,900 jobs, starting this summer.
"This is not a decision that has been reached lightly," said a letter that went out minutes ago from Paterson's state operations director Dennis Whalen.
"However, given the fact that savings through labor concessions were not achieved, Governor Paterson was forced to make this difficult decision for the good of the entire state."
Budget Division spokesman Jeffrey Gordon said the job cuts will probably start in July and they apply to "full-time equivalents," which means some of the target might be reached by attrition.
In his message to agency heads, Whalen said they will be providing updates and bulletins over the next few weeks.
Still unknown was where most of the cuts may fall, by geography and by agency.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I hope the state parks are not affected by this, If there are no employees then all the rumors may be true and pools will be open for shorter periods of time. I hope the governor, after taxing all of our money away doesn't bring this nonsense to our recreation and fun.
Why don't we get rid of all the social services the state provides to non-working welfare rats and think more about the true state wide social service, good and affordable for all....Our fine New York State Parks System!!!!! One can awake enjoy a morning exploring the park, eating lunch, playing tennis, swimming at the Victoria Pool then bringing a beautiful dinner and bottle of fine wine to the Ballet under a moonlit sky, all in our own backyard....
We are very lucky people!!!