The (Legally) Blind Leading The Blind

Posted by Bossip Staff

Gov. David Paterson was forced to order lay offs of damn near 9,000 state workers yesterday:

Gov. David Paterson on Tuesday ordered layoffs that could total about 4% of state workers after unions refused concessions amid a staggering economic downturn that was projected to push the state’s deficit to $16 billion in the next year.

Budget Director Laura Anglin told The Associated Press that the layoffs of nearly 9,000 employees would be the first since the late 1990s after unions refused to even provide counterproposals. It was unclear if the eventual number of layoffs could be offset by attrition or early retirement incentives. Those are among the details that would be worked out in coming weeks.

The layoffs, which Anglin said could save the state $481 million over two years, could begin July 1. The state currently employs nearly 200,000 people. But only 141,000 are directly under the governor’s control and that’s where the job reductions will be made. Anglin said unions have been informed and could still try to return to the table in the coming days before a budget is negotiated.

Damn. Heads are rolling left and right. Pretty soon catz will be heading up to Canada to bus tables, pick fruit ‘n’ sh*t. Tragic.

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