Paterson planning at least 1,000 layoffs

ALBANY -- New York Gov. David Paterson says he's planning for at least 1,000 layoffs to contend with a fiscal crisis after public worker unions refused to provide concessions.

Paterson made the comments Thursday on WSYR in Syracuse. It's the first time he's put a number on the layoffs he plans to issue before the end of the calendar year.

The public unions have refused his offers of delaying a few days pay and suspending 4-percent annual raises to avoid job losses, saying they have binding contracts and the state should cut waste before people.

The Civil Service Employees Association and the Public Employees Federation unions argue that Paterson is bound by his previous pledge not to lay off state workers until at least Jan. 1.

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