Last year, Governor Paterson gave up 10% of his $179,000 salary, "I will symbolically make the gesture for the state," perhaps to win some voter support. But this year, forget it—the Post asked a spokesperson who said, "He has no intention of giving back 10 percent of his salary this year. Gov. Paterson has already given back more of his salary than any public-employee union member." Paterson is currently trying to furlough 100,000 state workers, but a judge blocked that order. The Times Union notes how the State Senate unanimously passed a resolution criticizing the furloughs and then Senate Democrats voted to authorize the furloughs as part of Paterson's plan. more ›

While most city agencies have been asked to cut 8 percent from their budgets, City Council voted to raise its operating budget by 4.6 percent—a $2.3 million hike that brings the sum to $52.9 million. Speaker Christine Quinn (D-Chelsea) defended the budget increase, arguing it only went up because City Council employees have been given cost of living raises. "I would argue our budget is the same as it was last year," Quinn told the Observer. "We made a decision to treat City Council workers the same as other workers. Therefore, we gave everyone a cost of living increase." That said, the new budget breaks down to $1,036,920 for each of the 51 Council members, compared to $990,896 last year, the Daily News reports. more ›

“I’ve been knee deep in raw sewage at 7:15 in the morning, and let me tell you, it don’t smell like Folgers in your cup,” griped Anthony Mongiello, one of many city sewage workers up in arms over his industry's longtime wage freeze. Because of union foibles, some sewage plant employees haven't gotten a raise in fifteen years, reports the Times. Their average salary has continued to hover around $42,000, while their private sector counterparts are sometimes paid twice as much. “It’s disrespectful,” said Michael Enright, an 18-year sewage plant veteran. “I’ve got to change bearings and seals on million-dollar pumps with raw sewage flowing between my legs, and we make less than an auto mechanic.” more ›

At the end of July, Governor Paterson gave a rare televised address to brace New Yorkers for impending cuts required by an estimated $6.4 billion budget cap. But it seems that the belt tightening doesn’t apply to state troopers: Besides adding more officers to his security detail to the tune of $4 million, the governor has now agreed to a pay raise for troopers totaling almost 14% over four years. The Sun is quick to point out that the raise comes on the heels of a July 8th contribution of $25,000 from the State Troopers PAC to Paterson's gubernatorial campaign. The governor’s office is mum on how much the contract settlement will cost, but the Empire Center for New York State Policy puts it at about $45 million over four years. more ›

Building workers such as doormen, office cleaners, and janitors will probably not go on strike at the start of 2008 after their local union reached an agreement with Manhattan commercial property owners. Union members still have to vote to ratify the new four year contract, but the union leaders are recommending they do so. more ›