UTICA -- In front of the State Office Building in Utica, candles burn for the hundreds of state workers who will lose their job on Friday. Those 902 people may soon have to lean on the cash-strapped state for help and unemployment benefits.
"Why add to those who are already out of work," said Kevin Conley with Public Employees Federation.
Union leaders and state workers across the state came together Wednesday afternoon, in a final plea to the Governor to repeal his plan. "To support the ones who are being left behind, who are being laid off or bumped from their jobs. It's important that we stand together and show unity," said Bob Darrow.
The vigil shines a light on the layoffs and the impact it will have on New Yorkers. Unions say you can expect to stand in longer lines at the DMV after 80 jobs are cut. 100 positions from the Department of Transportation may mean fewer workers to inspect state bridges. Also, critical support services from 100 case workers are on the chopping block. But Governor David Paterson argues the cuts are needed to battle the budget deficit and save the state $250 million year.
"There are many ways we can avoid having layoffs including not contracting out for the various functions the state can do on it's own," said state worker Vicky Stockton.
The public employee federation says the loss of more than 900 jobs means the state's economy will lose $363-million in the next 3 years.
"They aren't going to be able to pay mortgages, car payments, it's ludicrous," said Conley.
Governor Paterson's term ends January 1st, so it will be up to incoming Governor Andrew Cuomo to enforce the cuts. Cuomo has not yet said what he intends to do.
