In an attempt to protect thousands of jobs as New York State cuts costs, the Civil Service Employees Association and Public Employees Federation have been trying to persuade their members to accept a three-year wage freeze among other concessions. As warned by Gov. Cuomo, up to 9800 employees could be laid off unless union members agree to these concessions.
See "New York Unions Press Members to Accept Deal", Thomas Kaplan, The New York Times, July 17, 2011