Not surprisingly, the state’s two largest public-worker unions are blasting Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Tier VI pension bill introduced this afternoon.

Civil Service Employees Association President Danny Donohue in a statement accused Cuomo of “grandstanding” on the issue:

“Congratulations to Governor Cuomo for another grandstand play for the attention of his millionaire
friends at the expense of the real working people of New York.”

“The governor’s proposal for a Tier VI pension reform for public employees is more evidence of how out of touch he is with working people and the economic pressures they face everyday. The governor’s onerous proposal will pick the pockets of front-line public workers and undermine their retirement security without providing any short term savings,” Donohue said.

And Public Employees Federation President Ken Brynien called the plan “draconian.”

“The ink is barely dry on Tier 5, but now the governor is proposing draconian pension cuts that would inflict permanent damage on middle class workers such as nurses, parole officers, bridge inspectors and cancer researchers for what is a transient problem,” Brynien said.

There was little mention of the ongoing negotiations between Cuomo and the unions, which so far have produced little news. State worker contracts expired April 1, giving automatic step increases to workers under the provisions of the Triborough Amendment.

UPDATE: There’s now a statement from AFL-CIO President Denis Hughes, who said the bill “does nothing to address New York’s greatest problem, job creation.” He also urged Cuomo to “rethink think strategy” and said the Legislature should reject the measure “outright.” Hughes’ full statement appears after the jump.

“Unfortunately, the Tier 6 legislation proposed today represents another step backward for all working men and women in New York State,” Hughes said.

“Even worse, it serves as a distraction from the real issue of the day: job creation. This bill would force working families, with already modest incomes, to make even more sacrifices in a year when we have threatened to lay off public employees, reduce their benefits, and cut essential services for all New Yorkers.”

“Let’s be clear. This bill does nothing to address New York’s greatest problem, job creation. Today’s proposal only deflects from this vital issue.”

“Today, New York continues to endure high unemployment, a shrinking public sector and a diminished private sector. Rather than address those very real concerns, this legislation proposes to make middle class workers even more economically insecure, and well into the future.”

“We cannot continue along this misguided path of attacking the benefits and economic well-being of New York’s working people. Let’s remember, Tier 5 was created just one year ago. We were told at the time that those pension reforms were necessary to alleviate economic stress.”

“Again, this bill will do nothing to create jobs. But we can guarantee it will dissuade qualified people from entering public service, diminish public safety, and send a message that New York does not value the important service that public employees provide.”

“We urge the Governor to rethink this strategy and we urge the legislature to reject this bill outright. Job creation needs to be our immediate goal. We have been promised that the sacrifices already made this year would do just that. Before we impose any more cuts on New York’s working families, let’s make sure the promises already made come true.”

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