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State layoffs: Numbers are rolling in, but no names yet
April 27, 2009 at 11:34 am by Rick Karlin

The various state agencies are starting to send in their plans to the Division of Budget to enact the 8,700 layoffs the governor has ordered, and so far, they’re dealing in the realm of numbers and titles that can be cut — without naming specific people who might lose their jobs or “bump” other workers lower on the seniority list.

Here’s an example of a memo that the Department of Environmental Conservation sent around to employees in it’s permitting division. One would guess it’s typical of the kind of bureaucratic language we’re going to see more and more of as these layoffs grow closer.  The letter was dated April 20:

This message is to update you on developments relevant to the agencys workforce reduction exercise.  I know that folks are anxious to learn if  they are affected by this effort and that a plan is due out of the agency to DOB tomorrow.  That said, the Commissioner has directed that no notifications be initiated at this time with potentially affected staff, pending further notice.  While one would normally expect the earliest possible notice to be the most prudent course for all involved, it is premature to engage in such communications at this particular time in light of the following:

1. No staff names or specific item numbers are being provided in the plan being submitted to DOB tomorrow.  Instead there will only be a summary of affected titles and locations.  This can leave the agency with more flexibility to make adjustments, based on initial feedback from DOB.

2. There actually is an expected dollar amount associated with the 225 positions requested of DEC by DOB and it is not certain yet whether the dollar amount coming out of the plan being developed so far will match this initial estimate.   Further adjustments to the plan may, therefore, become necessary.

3. The Department needs yet to develop and share specific guidance for affected staff on the implications relevant to their rights and benefits as well as appropriate next steps.  Notification without this kind of information would be frustrating to affected parties, to say the least.

In light of the above and the fact that regional Permits Units and service to those units are not affected at this time, I have canceled Wednesdays conference call on the personnel situation.  In any event, a conference call would not be appropriate to discuss any affected individuals circumstances.  Your consideration in this regard is most appreciated.  I will do my best to keep you apprised of any changes in the situation.  Thank you.

http://blogs.timesunion.com/ca.....-in-but-no-names-yet

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State buyout deal nears
$20,000 payment for each job designed to avoid layoffs; Tier V part of package with unions

By JAMES M. ODATO AND RICK KARLIN, Capitol bureau
First published in print: Thursday, June 4, 2009

ALBANY -- Gov. David Paterson and public employee unions are closing in on a deal to avoid the governor's proposed 8,700 layoffs. Under the preliminary plan, the state would provide $20,000 "buyouts" to workers who voluntarily leave the payroll, people briefed on details said Wednesday.

The deal, the subject of serious discussions in recent days, calls for the unions to endorse a new pension package -- the governor's proposed Tier V -- with more modest benefits terms than those available for decades to public employees.

The deal calls for the governor to drop his layoff plan. But the departures would have to take place this year.

Officials with the Civil Service Employees Association and the Public Employees Federation declined to discuss the deal, and the governor's spokesmen would not take questions on it.

People briefed on details, however, said momentum for the deal has been building for days, and an announcement appeared imminent on a resolution to the layoff plan. But talks lost steam after news circulated Wednesday that the governor had vetoed a bill to extend expanded pension benefits for newly hired cops and firefighters.

The buyout offer would be for workers eligible for retirement, according to the people briefed, but details were still being sewn together. Initially, the deal would be an expense rather than a savings for the state. The costs could mount, into the tens of millions of dollars, to pay for the buyouts of almost 7,000 workers.

Savings from a Tier V package wouldn't be realized for several years. Nevertheless, Paterson would be able to boast that he accomplished a major pension change that no other governor could produce.

Paterson accomplished something along those lines Tuesday when he vetoed a generous but costly police and fire pension bill that critics called a symbol of the state's profligate spending.

The veto came without fanfare and took many in the Capitol by surprise. Noting that "state and localities are hemorrhaging revenue at an alarming rate," Paterson vetoed a measure -- identical to one approved by lawmakers and signed by the governor every year since 1981 -- that allowed police and firefighters to continue collecting a more generous pension even as other public employees saw their benefits reduced.

The veto could put police and firefighters on the same footing as other public workers. Currently, so-called "uniformed" workers can retire with half-pay after 20 years of service. Although other state employees also can retire in 20 years under the system, they receive less of a payout, around 40 percent of pay.

Only future hires are covered in the veto, which has no impact on anyone now employed in the public sector.Labor advocates weren't happy: "I'm kind of puzzled more than anything," said state Sen. Diane Savino, D-New York City, who co-sponsored the bill extending the fire and police benefit. "This is something you would think the governor would have let us know. ... If they're using this as a bargaining (tool), this is not the way to do it."

Budget watchdogs hailed Paterson's veto for breaking what they described as a woeful tradition that favored powerful unions but shortchanged taxpayers...........>>>>.....................>>>>................http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=806598

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CAPITOL
Deal avoids major state layoffs
Unions OK plan to save money
BY MICHAEL VIRTANEN The Associated Press

    Gov. David Paterson and two unions reached an agreement Friday to avoid major layoffs of state workers while adding extra payments for those who elect to retire and a lower pension tier for new hires.
    Paterson said the deal should save $440 million over two years, roughly the amount that would have come from up to 8,900 planned layoffs he announced in March.
    “This agreement means a smaller state work force, savings for taxpayers and a new pension tier that provides long-term fiscal stability for the state,” Paterson said. Adding that his overriding goal was long-term cost reductions, he said this agreement does it in a way that is both responsible and compassionate.
    According to the governor’s office, the $20,000 retirement incentive will be offered to about 4,500 employees. Another 2,500 jobs that are funded but vacant will be permanently abolished.
    The agreements with the Civil Service Employees Association and Public Employees Federation also set goals for voluntary work schedule cuts.
    The unions said they will accept Paterson’s proposed legislation to establish a new pension tier, saying it will have no negative effect on the retirement rights of current work-.......>>>>............>>>>............http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....1&Continuation=1

Why cant the state just pay up a straightforward salary and forgoe those 'future' guaranteed entitlements.......that is where we get into trouble.....
my back cant take it any more.....