Levy sends layoff notices to 2,200 Suffolk workers

County Executive Steve Levy sent out layoff notices to 2,200 county employees Friday and agreed to use $30 million from the county's rainy day fund to equal what he is seeking in union concessions.

The 60-day warnings, which went out by letter, are sent to a far larger number than the 386 positions on the layoff list because the county also must notify those who would move to lower job titles under the county's bump and retreat system.

Cheryl Felice, president of the Association of Municipal Employees, called the notices "completely inappropriate intimidation" since no layoff proposal has been approved or has even gotten out of the county legislative committee.

"It's classic abuser behavior," said Felice, "Management is trying to bully union members into accepting concessions prior to Mr. Levy proving his case."

"If she's suggesting that we not send out these notices, she would be asking us to the violate the law," said Levy. "Cheryl continues to place her upcoming election as a priority over protecting her membership, which understands that a lag payroll is far more humane than layoffs."

In meetings Friday, Levy agreed to add $5 million to the $25 million he'd earlier agreed to use from the county's $130 million rainy day fund. An aide said he also agreed to alter his existing resolution to set out major parts of his fiscal plan to solve the $119 million 2009 shortfall.

"We're making progress," said Presiding Officer William Lindsay (D-Holbrook). "Last week, he was only willing to use $13 million." He added, "It would do a world of good if everyone saw all the pieces in one document."

The county executive originally asked for the power to do layoffs if the unions did not agree to $30 million in concessions by April 1. Levy changed the measure to remove the "concession" language after key ally Legis. Louis D'Amaro (D- North Babylon) recused himself from the vote because his wife, county attorney Christine Malafi, would be affected by the proposal.

While Levy has asked for a special legislature meeting April 1, Lindsay has said he sees no need because Levy's proposal is still in committee. Dan Aug, Levy's spokesman, said they are weighing whether to seek a special committee meeting at which D'Amaro now could vote on the stripped-down layoff bill.

The presiding officer, however, said he sees no reason for pressing for action before the April 28 meeting. "There's no difference if it's the April 1 or April 28," he said, referring to the layoff notices. "The clock is already ticking on the layoffs."