"While New York City and other municipalities have developed some exceptional programs for diverting youth from residential placements, these programs are not appropriate for all criminally involved youth. The fact is the vast majority of youth in state programs have failed in their placement in the types of programs that Mayor Bloomberg is advocating. It is simply not in the best interest of either the youth or the community.

Mayor Bloomberg's proposal does not address the serious question of what to do with those youth who are too dangerous to be placed in a community based program. This is a policy issue that demands a comprehensive statewide solution, not a piecemeal approach.

What the Mayor ought to be calling for is the overdue resignation of the woman responsible for mismanaging the system, state Office of Children and Family Services Commissioner Gladys Carrion. Commissioner Carrion knew the juvenile justice system she inherited was broken. Rather than putting the resources of her agency into fixing the system, she chose instead to expend considerable resources on a public relations campaign to dismantle it.

Commissioner Carrion has systematically emptied state juvenile facilties sending youth to private programs that lack oversight and the proven ability to treat seriously troubled youth. The most glaring example is the misplacement of 19 year old Anthony Allen. Allen murdered 24 year old Renee Greco, a youth counselor at a private facility in Niagara County last year. Putting dangerous young criminals into unsecure community based programs would endanger public safety.

Commissioner Carrion was also well aware of the 12 month notice law for state facility closures when she chose to waste state taxpayer dollars by emptying out the Tryon Residential Center in Fulton County. The law is designed to make sure the closure decision is thought-out with ample opportunity for uprooted service recipients, economically devastated communities, and families of employees who may lose their jobs to plan for the drastic impacts of closures.

Finally, the NY Daily News is so committed to furthering Carrion's misguided mission that they attached to their web editorial a photo that had nothing to do with the juvenile justice system in New York. The photo was of three youths arrested for nearly beating a homeless man to death in Florida, a fact not included with the photo. It appears to have been a cheap attempt to sensationalize an important issue," Brynien said.

"Far too many of our members who work at BPC arrive each day in fear, not knowing if this is the day they will become the next victim of workplace violence," said Kenneth Brynien, president of the New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF). "Being kicked, punched or thrown into a wall should not be part of the job."

Members and leaders of PEF gathered outside the facility during a noontime rally today to call attention to the high price of workplace violence. Participants chanted, "Am I Next," and "Stop Workplace Violence" as they listened to employees describe the dangerous work conditions inside the facility.

"Last month, 21 employees were assaulted on the job, including six employees who were attacked on the same day," said Darlene Williams, an occupational therapy assistant at BPC. Williams, an outspoken critic of management's failure to address workplace violence, is among 28 employees targeted to be laid off.

"This facility can't afford to loose any more staff," said PEF Vice President Pat Baker. "They also can't afford to lose a strong voice in this fight against violence. Bronx PC has been cited by the state Department of Labor for failing to comply with the state law requiring development of a program to prevent workplace violence. The facility is ranked among those with the highest rate of workplace-violence injuries in the state. It's time our state leaders hold this facility responsible for the safety of our members and the patients."

Staffing levels at the center are down significantly due to workplace injuries. The BPC suffered 6,462 lost work days in fiscal year 2009-10 due to injuries at the center. Workers' compensation costs totaled more than $1 million for the same time period.

"This is a cost the state cannot afford in terms of taxpayer dollars and injuries to employees." Brynien added.

Workers' Compensation costs at the Bronx Psychiatric Center (BPC) totaled more than $1 million in fiscal year 2009-10. It's a cost the state cannot afford in terms of taxpayer dollars and injuries to employees. Victims of workplace violence will be available to be interviewed at the event. During the month of November - 21 employees were assaulted, six in one day. Injuries included everything from being kicked, punched and thrown across a room.

Staffing levels at the center are down significantly due to workplace injuries and now layoffs have added to the workforce reductions.

Workplace Violence Rally

Noon on Thursday, December 16, 2010

Main Gate, Bronx Psychiatric Center

1500 Waters Place Bronx, NY

PEF President Kenneth Brynien will be joining members along with Secretary-Treasurer Arlea Igoe and Vice Presidents Pat Baker, Joe Fox and Tom Comanzo.

The toys and food baskets will be donated to the Toys for Tots program, St. Margaret's Children Center in Albany, and to parolees who are deserving and particularly needy.

"This program has become a PEF tradition that grows every year, despite the current economic climate. Our members have always been generous with their time and money when it comes to those less fortunate," said PEF President Ken Brynien.

PEF Region 8 members in the Albany area donated the toys in lieu of an admission fee at the union's annual holiday party, according to Regional Coordinator Bill Wurster.

"We found out what the special needs children at St. Margaret's wished for, and we tried to fulfill those wishes this year," Wurster said. "Our members' generosity will bring some happiness and smiles to these children. This program exemplifies the joy of giving and hopefully will make a positive difference in their lives."

Parole officers will deliver gift baskets during home visits to the families of selected area parolees who are making an effort to turn their lives around but struggling financially.

Gov. David Paterson should be ashamed that the final act of his administration will be to punish union members and their families because he wanted to score cheap political points. Paterson will no doubt try and place blame on the unions. He will claim these layoffs could have been avoided and on that point, we agree. Time and again, the governor was presented with many options for cost reductions but instead he chose to cut the jobs of 900 workers.

We have tried to reason with Gov. Paterson on numerous occasions to point out several other options to achieve needed savings. Continued news reports that PEF refused to negotiate with the governor on how to help close the budget deficit are just plain inaccurate. There were no meetings, no discussions and a refusal on the governors part to even consider our ideas.

The loss of nearly 900 state employees will take $363,080,054 out of the state's economy at a time when we can least afford it. That staggering amount of money equates to more than 9,600 jobs lost in the private sector over the next three years. (The number is based on the standard economic multiplier for job loss as provided by the Capital District Planning Association).

PEF has pointed out repeatedly that there are 11,500 fewer state employees today than in 2008. That is 11,500 fewer people to provide the vital services on which taxpayers rely.

There are no words to ease the pain for our members who have been targeted for layoffs. This historic action taking place today has been caused by Gov. Paterson and can be stopped by Gov. Paterson.

Edward Lucas, PEF Executive Board Member and DOT Civil engineer, testified at an Assembly hearing on DOT's two-year capital plan. Lucas provided testimony that showed how much the state can save by having state employees do the work currently being done at a much higher cost by consultants.

"Now more than ever the state simply can't afford to continue wasteful spending," Lucas said. "Our research shows the cost, on average, of a DOT engineer, including benefits, is $50.11 an hour. Comparable private consultant engineers charge the state $82.09 or $30 more an hour," Lucas testified.

DOT staffing levels are currently at the lowest levels in DOT history. The department lost nearly 750 employees through the retirement incentives and will shoulder more than 10 percent of Gov. David Paterson's December 31 layoffs. As a result of the work force reductions at DOT, the agency is increasing its reliance on costly consultant engineers.

PEF only has data for two-thirds of the current fiscal year, but it already indicates capital projects consultant spending is higher in three categories directly related to in-house staff employment levels.

"Consultant expenditures are approximately $10 million higher than at this time last year in the bridge inspection, engineering supervision and material testing expenditure categories," Lucas said.

PEF has proposed several solutions for savings at DOT and other agencies. PEF is strongly urging legislation that will require state agencies to perform a cost-benefit analysis before entering into any consultant contract valued at more than $500 thousand dollars. The union is calling on the Division of Budget to set savings targets for each state agency for consultant spending and to require penalties for failure to file reports under the contract disclosure law. PEF also issued a warning to legislators that work force reductions will further drive up costs as agencies like DOT rely on more costly consultants and contractors.

Full Text of Testimony

Albany - The New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) points out once again the work force reductions as ordered by Gov. David Paterson have never been about saving money and they should stop.

“How can this governor think that authorizing $16.7 million in grants from the governors member item account to pay for things like promoting a New Jersey Super Bowl in the future is the best use of taxpayer dollars during this financial crisis?” asked PEF President Kenneth Brynien.

“Right now, hundreds of our members are trying to figure out how they are going to continue to support their families as we enter the holiday season while Paterson is directing millions to pet projects.

“If this was really about saving money, the governor would have offered the early retirement incentive (ERI) much earlier to allow for more savings. He would have broadened the incentive, and he would now extend the offer to allow more state employees to leave state service. If this was really about saving money, the governor would support the cost-benefit analysis bill to require a cost-benefit analysis before state agencies contract out work to higher-priced consultants,” Brynien added.

PEF notes Assemblyman John McEneny recently spoke out against Gov. Paterson’s plan to lay off hundreds of state workers at the close of the calendar year. In an interview which aired Thursday, December 2 on WTEN, Channel 10 Albany, McEneny said there was no need to go forward with the layoffs at this time as a result of a recent report that tax revenues are up by almost $600 million this past quarter.

“PEF has been warning that further cuts to the state work force would have a serious impact on the ability of state employees to provide state services,” said Brynien. “We’ve also been offering savings solutions but this governor will hear none of it.”

On Tuesday, December 7, PEF leaders will be testifying at an Assembly hearing on the state Department of Transportation two-year capital plan providing examples of ways the state can save an estimated $55.6 million to $84.3 million a year. The savings can be achieved by having state employees do between 50 percent and 90 percent of the work currently done by more expensive private consultants at the state Department of Transportation (DOT).

The state has 11,500 fewer employees today than in 2008 and the governor continues to call for deeper cuts. The fact is, the quality services on which taxpayers depend have never been more at risk than they are today. The governor remarked today in a radio broadcast the cuts could lead to longer waits and reduced hours of availability at the state Department of Motor Vehicles and fortunately the cuts will not affect snow removal. What he should be concentrating on is the vital services that are at risk.

It's time for the governor to ask himself which state services he is willing to tell taxpayers they will have to do without. Will it be fewer bridge inspections or fewer inspections of the food we eat? Is he ready to roll the dice on whether our water supply is thoroughly inspected? What about calls to child abuse hotlines? Will callers be willing to hold the line?

What's worse, this has never been about saving money. If it was really about saving money, the governor would have offered the early retirement incentive (ERI) much earlier to allow for more savings. He would have broadened the incentive, and he would now extend the offer to allow more state employees to leave state service. If it was really about savings the governor would be allowing vacancies to be filled with new entry level employees at a savings to the state instead of allowing agencies to rack up overtime. If this was really about saving the state money, the governor would support the cost-benefit analysis bill to require a cost-benefit analysis before state agencies contract out work to higher priced consultants.

Clearly services are at risk with fewer state employees able to provide them. Yet given the choice of layoffs or an ERI, PEF supports the incentive. It's time for the governor to stop the charade and not pass on to a new administration the damaging results of his poor planning.

The state has 11,500 fewer employees today than in 2008 and the governor continues to call for deeper cuts. The fact is, the quality services on which taxpayers depend have never been more at risk than they are today. The governor remarked today in a radio broadcast the cuts could lead to longer waits and reduced hours of availability at the state Department of Motor Vehicles and fortunately the cuts will not affect snow removal. What he should be concentrating on is the vital services that are at risk.

It's time for the governor to ask himself which state services he is willing to tell taxpayers they will have to do without. Will it be fewer bridge inspections or fewer inspections of the food we eat? Is he ready to roll the dice on whether our water supply is thoroughly inspected? What about calls to child abuse hotlines? Will callers be willing to hold the line?

What's worse, this has never been about saving money. If it was really about saving money, the governor would have offered the early retirement incentive (ERI) much earlier to allow for more savings. He would have broadened the incentive, and he would now extend the offer to allow more state employees to leave state service. If it was really about savings the governor would be allowing vacancies to be filled with new entrylevel employees at a savings to the state instead of allowing agencies to rack up overtime. If this was really about saving the state money, the governor would support the cost-benefit analysis bill to require a cost-benefit analysis before state agencies contract out work to higher priced consultants.

Clearly services are at risk with fewer state employees able to provide them. Yet given the choice of layoffs or an ERI, PEF supports the incentive. It's time for the governor to stop the charade and not pass on to a new administration the damaging results of his poor planning.