Parole Officers Demonstrate at Parolee's Bronx Arraignment

BRONX, NY - Many state parole officers used their personal leave to turn out in force today at the arraignment of parolee Jonathan Lee in Bronx Supreme Court. Lee was arraigned on charges he injured and attempted to murder several state parole officers September 2 when they were attempting to arrest him for parole violations. Three officers were injured in the incident.

"Protecting the public's safety is the most important thing we do as state parole officers," said parole officer V. Antonio Perez.

"We put our safety on the line to protect you, the public, so it's important to make sure we have the resources we need to keep you safe and for us to be as safe as possible on the job."

Perez is a steward of Division 236 of the NYS Public Employees Federation, the union that represents approximately 900 state parole officers and other parole-related employees. Perez said he and the other officers attending the arraignment want to draw the public's attention to the dangers and complex responsibilities and challenges they face on the job every day, and to the possible layoff of officers November 4.

"We are the public's best investment. In supervising these convicted felons when they are released on parole, we do it all: enforcing the law, criminal investigation, social work, mentoring, and transporting prisoners. No one gives the taxpayers more professional services for their dollar than we do," Perez said.

"We need more, not fewer, officers and resources to do this job right," Perez said. "Right here in the city, less than two years ago, an officer was shot in his office, in another incident, a parole officer was taken hostage at knife point in the parole office. This is dangerous work and it's no time to be cutting our staff or raising our caseloads."

Perez said the officers also want to send a strong message to present and future parolees that "we are united and we will not tolerate assaults on parole officers. Any attacks on us or other law-enforcement officers will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law."

PEF and CSEA Appeal to Common Sense to Avoid Layoff of 902 State Employees

ALBANY, NY - Members and leaders of the New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) and the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) made a final appeal to common sense in New York state government as Gov. David Paterson prepared to leave office while laying off 902 dedicated state employees as his final act.

Representatives of the unions held a candlelight vigil on the steps of the state Capitol to criticize the misguided action and make a last-ditch appeal to have common sense prevail. Similar vigils took place outside state offices in Hornell, Endicott, Elmira, Utica and Poughkeepsie.

Union leaders said Gov. Paterson is proceeding with layoffs of mostly PEF and CSEA members out of political spite. The layoffs will create personal tragedy for the families involved, while harming New York's economy and wreaking havoc on state operations.

"The staffing levels at many state agencies already are down to bare bones," said PEF President Kenneth Brynien. "Not only are these individuals facing incredible hardships, their families are suffering, taxpayers will be affected through the loss of services, and local economies will suffer as well. Gov. 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. This historic action has been caused by Gov. Paterson and can be stopped by Gov. Paterson," Brynien said.

"Gov. Paterson will make yet another nonsensical statement that the union leadership left him no choice but to proceed with layoffs, said CSEA President Danny Donohue. "By now, the public should be painfully aware that's just not true. Gov. Paterson has missed every opportunity to choose a better way. These unnecessary layoffs will link the Paterson administration forever with a legacy of failure," Donohue said.

The Paterson layoff scheme is using a loophole in a no-layoff agreement his administration made with PEF and CSEA in July 2009, in exchange for pension system reform the administration claims will save taxpayers more than $35 billion. The administration is meeting the letter, but not the spirit, of the no-layoff agreement by keeping the laid-off employees on the payroll until the final day of the Paterson administration.

Union analysis of the layoff shows they will produce minimal direct savings to the state budget, while actually harming the economy and undermining revenue-producing state services.

By forcing the issue of layoffs in a six-week period and cherry-picking PEF and CSEA represented positions, the Paterson administration has created turmoil and disruption throughout numerous state agencies.

PEF Provides Cost Savings to DOT's Two-Year Capital Plan

ALBANY, NY - The New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) today provided 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).

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

Statement of PEF President Kenneth Brynien on Renewed Threat of Layoffs

Albany - It is irresponsible for the Paterson administration to suggest the possibility of layoffs within the state workforce when it is still unclear how many state employees will be leaving state service through the early retirement incentive (ERI).

The director of the state Divison of Budget (DOB) is quoted in the press suggesting the early retirement program may fail to reach a savings goal of $250 million and if that is the case, plans for layoffs may have to be developed. Before deeming the ERI a failure, the DOB should, instead, be pressuring its agency directors to fully comply with the program.

As was the case with the voluntary severance program offered earlier this year, many PEF members who were willing to leave state service were denied the opportunity to participate in the program. We anticipate the same will hold true for the ERI.

It's unnecessary and irresponsible to threaten to layoff state employees at a time when so many people are turning to state services during these difficult financial times. We call on the Paterson administration to focus on making the ERI program a success, rather than planning for failure.

In addition, PEF reminds the governor of the millions the state could save by relying less on high-priced consultants when research proves state employees can often do the same work for less. One step in the direction of realizing recurring savings is passage of the cost-benefit analysis bill. The bill has already passed in the Assembly. It would require a cost-benefit analysis before contracting out state services. PEF is calling on the Senate to stop taypayer abuse and pass the cost-benefit bill.