ALBANY — Public employee unions cried foul yesterday as Gov. Paterson (pictured) said his no-layoff pledge was “a plan” that must change in light of the state’s continued budget crisis.
Paterson said in advance of tomorrow’s scheduled special session in Albany that the state must begin planning for layoffs “immediately” to cover the loss of up to $1 billion in federal Medicaid money.
The administration agreed last year to forgo layoffs until 2011 to get a less-generous pension tier through the Legislature.
“It was a plan,” Paterson told reporters after throwing the first pitch in an Albany T-ball game. “It was certainly something we would’ve adhered to if conditions made it possible.”
Civil Service Employees Association President Danny Donohue said the no-layoff pledge was “binding.”
He should also know that “talk of layoffs under these circumstances is counterproductive, impractical and bad for New Yorkers all around,” Donohue said.
Public Employees Federation President Kenneth Brynien said the union “fully intends to hold the governor to his promise and will take whatever measures are necessary to do so.”
brendan.scot
t@nypost.com