Port Authority Approves $6.3 Billion Budget, Cuts 150 Jobs

NEW YORK — The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is cutting 150 positions and slashing overtime.

The moves are part of the Port Authority's $6.3 billion budget for 2010. The agency's board of commissioners approved the budget Thursday.

The agency also plans to hire fewer consultants to save money in a tough economic climate.

A spokeswoman says the job reductions were achieved through attrition, a voluntary severance program and leaving vacant positions empty.

The agency says its 2010 staff of 6,977 people is a 40-year low.

The Port Authority's chairman said the agency was forced to make difficult choices but had to live within its means.

Comments

[LittleMittens]

02:19 AM on 12/13/2009

Well, I guess now would have been a good use for the 100million bloomberg spent on the campaign...

[Bricks]

08:44 AM on 12/12/2009

The PA does do a good job but what they pay their employees in wages and benefits is out of step in today's economy. It's time that people working in public sector jobs feel the same pain as everyone else. Cutting jobs through attrition, voluntary severance packages and the elimination of open positions is a good start, but hardly aggressive.

[bluevase]

04:35 PM on 12/12/2009

It's a race to the bottom, isn't it. Nobody should have a middle class life. And don't worry, five years from now, no more middle class

[KarateKid]

08:16 AM on 12/14/2009

Oh, I think there will always be a middle class, just with a much lower pay scale.

[MayorQuimby]

11:14 PM on 12/11/2009

They still have PA cops making $135K plus lifetime pensions, tons of benefits etc. They need to confront the bloated pensions or end up like GM did.

[HekmabaJuzimakz]

09:32 PM on 12/11/2009

Why do they need consultants? All they have to do is pay the workers less, make sure things don't break down and make damnSure the everything is on time. You don't need consultants for that.