Public employees, the bigger picture.

Public employees, the bigger picture.

Our state work force: A valuable asset in today’s market

Wadsworth Center’s Griffin Laboratory in the David Axelrod Institute, Albany – PEF members including Andreas Kilmartin, a lab specialist, tests for the H1N1 virus. PEF members are dedicated to their work which includes responding to public health threats.

Finding ways to save money, cut costs and do more with less is at the forefront of discussions among state lawmakers as the governor and Legislature struggle to close a $3 billion deficit.

The New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) recognizes the financial challenges that lie ahead; which is why, now more than ever, New Yorkers need to be reminded of the value of the state work force. Simply put, public servants provide the best value for our tax dollars. It is a fact the private sector wants to keep private.

Fortunately, we now have laws that provide transparency. We know at least 31,000 consultants worked for the state in fiscal year 2008-09. And, in just one example of the waste, the state transportation department paid a consultant engineer $115 an hour for engineering work on NYC bridges that a state engineer could have done for $52 an hour, including benefits.

The state can start saving tax dollars by relying less on private contractors and more on its public servants.

PEF is proud to represent 59,000 highly skilled public servants who are professionals on the job every day in every part of the state, providing the highest quality service at the most reasonable cost.

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