Three weeks. That's how long the state's second biggest union has to pass the same contract its members just shot down or else thousands of state employees are going to get a pink slip. Our Josh Robin has the story.

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NEW YORK STATE -- Glum faces at the state's second biggest union. The 54,000 Public Employees Federation, which has almost 11,000 members in the city, rejected its contract, prompting Governor Cuomo to launch notice that 3,500 workers are out of their jobs.

"The cuts that are demanded of them in this tentative agreement were just too many," said PEF President Ken Brynien.

Including a wage freeze in the first three years of the five year deal, plus unpaid furlough days and givebacks in health care. All without a guarantee of no future layoffs.

"I think the contract was atrocious to say the least. I don't want to get into too many more expletives, but it was disgusting to say the least and the governor was bullying us into this and our membership came up with the correct answer as far as I'm concerned," Patrick McShane said.

Not according to Cuomo. He says they should follow the lead of another state union that recently ratified a similar deal.

"In this economic reality, rising state workforce costs are unsustainable," Cuomo said in a statement. "The Legislature passed a budget that made clear that reducing these costs would be achieved either through the collective bargaining process or through layoffs. I urge them to reconsider."

His aides blast union leaders for failing to sell the deal. Now Cuomo says a simple revote isn't enough and PEF has to accept it.

The union is demanding Cuomo return to the bargaining table and halt its layoff threat. But in reality, the union's options are limited. They can't strike and they may find public sympathy lies elsewhere.

With benefits, their compensation averages just under $100,000 a year with much earlier retirement than the private sector. But that doesn't make it easier for Connie Batts.

"I meet with the couples that are both state employees that are both going to lose their homes," Batts said.

She tried to convince people to vote yes. And to colleagues who wanted to call Cuomo's bluff, she has a new message: She doesn't believe he's bluffing.