The Poll: Nassau's wage freeze

Nassau County's largest union has filed suit in federal court to lift a wage freeze imposed by a state control board.

The Civil Service Employees Association lawsuit challenges the Nassau Interim Finance Authority's power to suspend scheduled salary hikes, including annual "step" increases and longevity payments. It is similar to a suit already filed by the county's three police unions.

NIFA, which imposed a wage freeze last month, took control of Nassau's finances in January, saying there is a $176-million budget deficit this year. Mangano had requested the freeze as he announced 213 layoffs, along with furloughs for all employees, as a way to close the gap.