NYC Freezes Hiring

NEW YORK (AP) - Mayor Michael Bloomberg ordered an immediate citywide hiring freeze on Monday to help bridge financial gaps he said are caused by the gridlocked state Senate's failure to act on city budget matters.

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The freeze delays indefinitely more than 1,000 planned hires, including a class of 250 police recruits who were to be sworn in Wednesday. It postpones the hires of firefighters, traffic agents, school crossing guards, school safety agents, 911 operators and emergency medical technicians planned for this summer and fall.

The city has about 300,000 municipal employees. The police department, the nation's largest, has about 35,000 officers.

The Senate has been in a standoff for a month, unable to take legislative action because of disagreements about who is in control. Two Senate factions continue to refuse to recognize each other's leaders. The conflict began with a coup June 8 by a Republican-dominated coalition versus the Democratic majority.

The city has been in a holding pattern because the state must approve new tax measures that were included in the city budget for fiscal year 2010, which began July 1. Without them, the city is losing $60 million a month, said Bloomberg, an independent.

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, a Democrat, said in a statement that the Senate "needs to put aside their power struggle" and pass the revenue package.

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PRESS RELEASE FROM MAYOR'S OFFICE:

MAYOR BLOOMBERG FREEZES CITY HIRING AFTER STATE SENATE'S INACTION IMPERILS CITY'S BUDGET

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today announced an immediate freeze of personnel hiring to ensure the City meets its legal obligation to maintain a balanced budget, while the State Senate remains unable to act on any legislation. Additionally, the Mayor has ordered a review of all City contracts so the City does not enter into non-essential obligations. Contracts under review include the entire universe of City contracts with independent agencies that provide services to the public. The contracts are typically entered into at the start of the fiscal year.

"I've instructed the City's Budget Director to immediately freeze all hiring while the gridlock in the State Senate imperils the City's budget," said Mayor Bloomberg. "This includes a class of 250 Police Recruits, who were set to enter the academy this week, along with Firefighters, School Safety Agents, 911 and 311 call takers, and EMTs. Further, we will be reviewing all City contracts to ensure we do not enter into non-essential contracts. We have a legal mandate to produce a balanced budget – something we've done for seven consecutive years – so we have to act responsibly."

The Fiscal Year 2010 budget, adopted by the City Council in June, included new revenues that require approval in the State Legislature. The lack of action in the State Senate on the new revenue package has cost the City to $60 million in the month of July and $60 million will continue to be lost each month without State Senate action, which would necessitate further reductions in City spending. If the State Senate is unable to act on the revenue package this year, the City stands to lose nearly $900 million.

The hiring freeze is going into effect immediately, although certain hires will be permitted for extraordinary needs that may arise. The hiring freeze will indefinitely delay the Police Department's class of 250 recruits who the Mayor had planned on swearing in on Wednesday, July 8th. It also puts plans to hire other important City workers on hold, including:

• 150 Firefighters
• 151 Traffic Agents
• 34 Emergency 911 Operators
• 175 School Safety Agents
• 150 School Crossing Guards
• 90 Emergency Medical Technicians
• 20 3-1-1 Operators

"I urge Senators in both parties to put aside their political differences and approve theCity's revenue plan so we can move forward with providing the core services that New Yorkers rely on," Mayor Bloomberg concluded.