This is the unions sticking a finger in Paterson’s face basically telling him that we will do what ever we want to do because we are in charge. I can imagine the Democrat controlled Assembly will let them too, after all they are owned.

The unions do not care if they drive us right into the economic abyss and are never able to get out as long as they get what they want, and that is to screw the taxpayers of this state.

NY plans state job recruiting despite governor’s order
ALBANY, N.Y. -

At the same time Gov. David Paterson is ordering agencies to restrict hiring during tough fiscal times, the state is preparing for targeted recruitment to replace thousands of mid- and upper-management employees expected to retire in the next five years.

Civil Service Commissioner Nancy Groenwegen said it’s not a conflict, but a necessity. The hiring is to head off a projected shortage of critical workers, especially high demand positions like nurses, engineers, accountants, auditors and information technology specialists.

The gap in employment is due to a period of attrition under former Govs. Mario Cuomo and George Pataki that wasn’t followed up with heavy recruiting.

On Monday Paterson called for state agencies to find savings and halt hiring for all but “absolutely essential” positions. Paterson also threatened to issue a hard hiring freeze for agencies that did not meet his savings requirement.

“The governor has issued a clear directive to the state’s agencies to exercise fiscal restraint, but even as they tighten their belts there are critical positions, such as nurses and engineers, that must be filled even as hiring is reduced,” spokesman Errol Cockfield said in a written statement. “This does not conflict with the governor’s mission to control spending.”

In the next five years, New York officials expect as much as 30 percent of the state’s work force to retire, taking with them extensive expertise and leaving behind no logical successors. If thousands aren’t hired it could leave a “vacuum of expertise,” said David Ernst, a civil service spokesman.

The state employs more than 169,426 workers.

The plan includes hiring of a public relations firm, but that is being reconsidered since the governor called for reduced spending.

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