Statement From Senate Majority Conference Leader John L. Sampson

In the past, when confronted with crisis, New York’s leaders have put politics and personal agendas aside to work together to get the job done. That time is again upon us.

The Governor has called for a public employee wage freeze. The Senate respects the rights of the contracting parties - the unions and the Executive - to negotiate. In furtherance of the Governor’s request, I urge the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations to send a formal notice for bargaining to address the issues concerning our public workforce.

In decades past, unions have been part of the solution. They joined with members of government and the business community to address our fiscal problems through the fundamental principles of shared sacrifice and fairness. Today, public employees remain some of  the most vital contributors to our workforce. We welcome them as our partners in giving New Yorkers a fair and responsible budget they can afford.