PEF to NYS: Hands off our raises, jobs, public service

Story By SHERRY HALBROOK Photos By Darcy Wells and Deborah A. Miles
As the state and national economies reverberate with news of layoffs, clenched-tight credit and failing titans from Wall Street to Detroit, New York is struggling to regain a fiscal balance between what’s coming in and what’s going out.

And so are state employees and all the New Yorkers they serve.

“We’re All In This Together,” proclaimed signs carried by PEF members who participated in a 2,000-strong rally on the west lawn of the state Capitol in Albany November 18. Legislators met inside in a special budget-cutting session called by Gov. David Paterson.

Not only is the governor proposing to cut state services and close facilities, he wants state employees, including PEF members, to give up their 3 percent raises that kick in April 1, 2009, under their contracts.

Surrendering their pay raises would save the state just $122 million next year. But it would be “a gift that kept on giving” at the employees’ expense. Every future raise they ever get from the state would be calculated on base pay diminished by the loss of the 2009 raise. Even their state pensions would be diminished by that loss.

Paterson would also lag (withhold) a week of state employees’ pay, which they could receive when they leave state service.

Those new retirees would be required to pay more for their health care. And both employees and retirees would be required to contribute to Medicare Part B.

That’s a level of sacrifice far beyond what any other New Yorkers are being asked to make.

PEF President Ken Brynien told the activists from PEF and other concerned groups at the rally for a better budget the state’s fiscal problems are the direct result of the unchecked greed, irresponsible behavior and unwillingness to pay their share of the tax burden on the part of the biggest corporations and richest citizens.

Our share and yours, too?
“The wealthiest New Yorkers only pay about 6 percent of their income in state and local taxes, while the rest of us pay 12 percent,” Brynien said. “There has been too much focus on state spending, when we should be focused on the revenue that has been lost.”

Twenty years of increasing state tax cuts primarily for the wealthy and big corporations cost the state $16 billion in lost revenue in this fiscal year, alone. It falls on middle-class taxpayers, including state employees, to make up for that loss.

“The state work force already has shared the pain of closing this budget gap with the 10 percent cuts to state agencies,” Brynien said. “Our members are doing more with less. The state already implemented $1.6 billion in cuts with $1.2 billion at the expense of the state work force.”

Throughout the budget cutting that began in May, PEF has submitted proposals to the governor and the Legislature that could reduce the budget deficit by as much as $10 billion without severe cuts to programs and services.

Continuing dialogue
Both Brynien and PEF Legislative Director and Counsel Brian Curran have met with the governor to urge him to take the steps PEF has recommended to bridge the budget gap.

In October, PEF launched a TV, radio and print advertising campaign to carry the message “We’re all in this together” to the public and state leaders.

“When I met with the governor in October, I repeated our recommendations for dealing with the budget crisis,” Brynien said. “I emphasized the need to reduce the number of contractors and consultants.

“The governor agreed contracting out has to stop and will stop, and also agreed agencies need to be more receptive to options available in our current contract,” Brynien reported. “He also agrees on expanding the state’s law requiring deposits and recycling of bottled beverages and on the state receiving the unclaimed deposits. And the governor asked for our support in convincing Congress of the need for federal assistance in this crisis.

Cow? What cow?
“At that October meeting, the governor said there are no sacred cows in the budget and that all options are on the table,” Brynien said. “However, he repeatedly stated state employees have already taken the brunt of the cuts and he did not want to take more from the state work force.”

Unfortunately, shortly after that meeting, Paterson stated he would not consider raising taxes on anyone, including the wealthiest citizens or big corporations. And he asked PEF and the other unions to renegotiate their state contracts to allow for the elimination of the 2009 pay raise.

“I have stated publicly and privately to the governor that our members have sacrificed enough. The multi-millionaire fat cats are clearly the sacred cows, and it’s their turn to pay up,” Brynien said.

PEF’s proposals include: using the state’s $1 billion “rainy day” fund, increasing the income taxes on wealthy New Yorkers, closing corporate tax loopholes, and reducing the state’s reliance on costly private contractors.

“We can no longer allow middle- and low-income workers and their children to bear the brunt of spending cuts while corporate New York and wealthy New Yorkers are not asked to make any sacrifices,” Brynien said.

State lawmakers balked at approving still more state spending cuts at the November special session, saying they want to wait until Paterson presents his 2009-10 Executive Budget in December to see how his $2 billion in proposed cuts for 2008-09 would fit in with a longer-term approach. The legislators previously cut nearly $45 million in state spending in July when Paterson called them into a special session then.

Cut kids first?
Meanwhile, Paterson has said he intends to close six state Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) facilities and downsize other programs that will result in a loss of critical services and the reduction of 255 jobs.

OCFS facilities slated to be closed are:
• Adirondack Residential Center in Clinton County,
• Cattaraugus Residential Center and Great Valley Residential Center in Cattaraugus County,
• Pyramid Reception Center in the Bronx,
• Rochester Community Residential Home in Monroe County, and
• Syracuse Community Residential Home in Onondaga County.
The plan would reduce operations at the Allen Residential Center in Delaware County and the Tryon Residential Center in Fulton County. See related article.

Continuing dialogue
Both Brynien and PEF Legislative Director and Counsel Brian Curran have met with the governor to urge him to take the steps PEF has recommended to bridge the budget gap.

Louise worries about keeping up with her bills. Now she has to worry about keeping her job.

Week of Nov 3, 2008
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Jim worries about
the economy.
Now he has to worry about keeping his job.

Week of Nov 3, 2008
Watch the Ad (wmv)

Maria is looking for ways to save money.
Now she has to worry about saving her job.

Week of Nov 3, 2008
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Maria esta buscando formas de ahorrar dinero.
Ahora ella tiene que preocuparse por conservar este trabajo.

Week of Nov 3, 2008

In October, PEF launched a TV, radio and print advertising campaign to carry the message “We’re all in this together” to the public and state leaders.

“When I met with the governor in October, I repeated our recommendations for dealing with the budget crisis,” Brynien said. “I emphasized the need to reduce the number of contractors and consultants.

“The governor agreed contracting out has to stop and will stop, and also agreed agencies need to be more receptive to options available in our current contract,” Brynien reported. “He also agrees on expanding the state’s law requiring deposits and recycling of bottled beverages and on the state receiving the unclaimed deposits. And the governor asked for our support in convincing Congress of the need for federal assistance in this crisis.

Cow? What cow?
“At that October meeting, the governor said there are no sacred cows in the budget and that all options are on the table,” Brynien said. “However, he repeatedly stated state employees have already taken the brunt of the cuts and he did not want to take more from the state work force.”

Unfortunately, shortly after that meeting, Paterson stated he would not consider raising taxes on anyone, including the wealthiest citizens or big corporations. And he asked PEF and the other unions to renegotiate their state contracts to allow for the elimination of the 2009 pay raise.

“I have stated publicly and privately to the governor that our members have sacrificed enough. The multi-millionaire fat cats are clearly the sacred cows, and it’s their turn to pay up,” Brynien said.