Yes money, the one word on everybody’s, mind whether you’re in Athens, London, Tokyo or New York. With many of the world’s governments in financial crisis, the quick solution seems to be budget cuts. But the municipal workers of New York City won’t go without a fight. Hundreds gathered at a rally in front of City Hall to protest the new proposed budget. While the mood remained festive many protesters were clearly unhappy with the how the state government was handling the situation.

[Patrick Shanley, Uniformed Sanitation Association]:
“I think… like I said it’s a disgrace… now they’re sitting up there they’re getting paid to sit in chairs- while people are working, and their getting paid for doing nothing and they can’t come up with a budget. They can’t get the budget straight with all time they’ve been there.”

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s new budget proposal will layoff 2000 teachers, 700 firefighters, 1000 hospital workers and hundreds of other government employees. The budget also plans on closing various facilities such as schools, libraries and community centers.

[Anne Goldman, UFT Board member, NY Federation of Nurses Chairwoman]:
“As a nurse as a person as a mom with children it is a direct hit on the ability to have the resources and staffing the ability to provide the care necessary for each and every person we have emergency rooms backed up for hours and hours we have people lying on stretchers waiting for us because we are devoid of adequate staff.”

Along with those fighting for their jobs, are government employees disgruntled by the lawmaker’s inaction. There has been growing frustration about the inability of the state government to draft a reasonable new budget. The state budget has been overdue since April 1st of this year.

[Michael Palladino, President NYC Detectives Union]:
“Well let me say this, our elected officials in Albany have to get their act together. If they are going to lead, then lead! Let’s get a budget done and let’s make sure that New York City gets their fair share. This city is the economic engine for this state and the gasoline for that economic engine is the city work force.”

Negotiations are still going on, New York Governor David Patterson has set the final deadline for the state budget on June 28th. If the state fails to find the necessary funds, the New York governing body will close for the first time in it’s history.

Allen Xie NTD News New York