Invisible state work force hiding

They are finding it difficult to cut workers from agencies that were already seriously understaffed and still meet the needs of the public and the requirements of the law.

In other cases, further stripping the state work force could jeopardize federal funding or the accreditation of some facilities and programs.

The DOB has reportedly rejected the implementation plans for several agencies and sent them back to the drawing board to try again to find something more workable.

“The governor’s demand for layoffs isn’t very practical. It appears to be grounded more in political need, than bedrock economics,” said PEF President Ken Brynien.

“It’s unproductive and irresponsible to force these layoffs and it will yield little short-term financial relief. The state must pay unemployment insurance benefits to these workers for months and it must continue to pay the lion’s share of their health insurance premiums for a year. It really doesn’t make sense from a purely fiscal standpoint, especially when you consider the more sensible alternatives we’ve recommended.”

Those alternatives range from reducing contracts for private consultants (See related article) to reducing overtime costs.

Instead of lowering OT expenses, the layoffs will increase them and may lead to more contracts for private consultants who cost more than the state workers they replace.

“Letting politics drive the state’s work force policies will only deepen New York’s financial tailspin,” Brynien predicted.

Meanwhile, the union continues to work with its members to defend their civil service and contractual rights.

The ramp-up to possible layoffs is complicated by the fact that so many individuals with knowledge of the layoff system and how it’s supposed to work have left state service since the last round of layoffs a decade ago.

The layoff system has been particularly muddy at the state Department of Correctional Services (DOCS) and at the state Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) – the two state agencies slated to lose the most positions – where the definitions for layoff units and process has come into question.

Since seniority, bumping rights and transfers are all related to layoff units, having clear agreement on the definition of those units and the process is critical for the members to receive their full rights.

DOCS is slated to cut 2,021 positions and OMRDD has a target of 1,434.

PEF has been working with the agencies and DCS to resolve these issues, and the problems at DOCS seem to be resolved.

“The experience is traumatic enough for the employees without adding these uncertainties to the mix,” Brynien said. “That’s why we are trying to get the state to take its better options and avoid layoffs entirely.