Statement of PEF President Kenneth Brynien on Potential Government Shutdown
Friday, June 11, 2010 at 1:00PM Albany - We have been informed by the Governor's Office of Employee Relations state agencies are being directed by the governor to plan for a potential shutdown of New York state government.
We believe a state-government shutdown is unnecessary and wasteful. While Gov. Paterson is telling agencies to bar state employees from working, he is telling them it is okay to use costly contract consultants to fill the void.
Holding New York state's work force and the citizens who rely on state services hostage as a part of budget negotiations is unconscionable.
Nearly 30 years ago, Gov. Hugh Carey faced a similar budget situation and he managed to keep state government operating. We call on Gov. Paterson to do the same. The Legislature also should act to stop the unnecessary shutdown of state governmental services.
PEF will do whatever is necessary to ensure the contractual rights of our members and their ability to provide services to the public are protected.