130 Nassau union workers face layoffs

The Republican-led Nassau County Legislature expects to approve a plan to lay off 130 union workers at a special meeting on June 28, noting that it's the only option to raising taxes.

The proposal, announced by County Executive Edward Mangano on Monday, has the support of Republicans in the legislature, said Cristina Brennan, spokeswoman for Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt (R-Massapequa). The GOP has an 11-8 majority.

"It's very unfortunate, but it's the only alternative to raising taxes," Schmitt said.

The layoffs would go into effect July 1 and save the county $10.6 million in annual savings, Mangano said.

Democrats criticized the plan and pinned the blame for the layoffs on the county executive. "If Mr. Mangano had demonstrated effective leadership over the past two years by cutting instead of increasing his payroll and by negotiating successfully on labor contracts, he might have avoided [these] actions," said Minority Leader Diane Yatauro (D-Glen Cove).

The 130 employees targeted for pink slips, all members of the Civil Service Employees Association. Their average yearly salary is $53,846, the administration said.

The layoffs include 59 positions eliminated from property tax assessment functions, 25 from the Parks Department, 21 from the juvenile detention center, 12 in the Informational Technology Department and 13 from the county attorney's office. These workers will not learn their fate until after the legislature votes. Another 54 county employees opted for a voluntary separation package.

Mangano has said the layoffs were unavoidable because labor did not offer voluntary concessions. But, CSEA President Jerry Laricchiuta said the administration did not request any specific give backs. "[Mangano] asked me for nothing," Laricchiuta said. "There's not a thing we could have done."

Laricchiuta said his members would not support any legislator who votes for the layoff package.

The layoff proposal requires legislative approval because it adjusts the approved 2011 budget. The plan will go before the Rules Committee on June 20.