Governor Andrew Cuomo in labor negotiations with PEF.
Leadership of the Public Employees Federation is talking tonight about the resumption of informal talks with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. Central New York Regional Coordinator Peter Banks says the primary goal of contract talks will be to avoide 3400 layoffs announced by the governor last week.
The governor said late last week that he would be willing to resume talks with the union. Banks told CNYCentral this afternoon, "union membership is willing to make some sacrifices, it just doesn't want to be sacrificed.'" He believes a deal can be reached, but it must not hurt quite as much as the original offer from the governor.
Several groups of workers received notices last week for layoffs which take effect October 19th. Onondaga County stands to lose 227 state workers including transportation workers and social workers. Oneida County would lose 86 jobs.
Earlier this year the CSEA union membership approved a similar deal to the one offered to the PEF that was rejected by membership last week.
