Financial constraints push Rensselaer County and the employees union to a vote over health insurance. A narrow decision not to switch to a cheaper carrier results in an unpopular decision to cut jobs instead. Our Erin Vannella reports.

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RENSSELAER COUNTY, N.Y. -- "The union membership rejected changing health insurance from the carrier that we're now on to NYSHIP," said Rensselaer County Executive Kathleen Jimino. "The alternative we presented to the union back in September was that if that did not pass, we would have to lay off people to make up that difference."

And so it goes, explained County Executive Kathleen Jimino. Forty county employees will lose their jobs by year's end.

"It's very bad timing for these individuals personally to be facing this as we approach the holiday season," said Jimino. "It's also very bad for the residents and businesses in Rensselaer County because they will see an impact in services."

Jimino explained the county had no other choice. At the same time the county has watched revenue decline, it is required by law to continue bolstering the county's increasing and expensive social-service demands. Putting the burden on taxpayers would have meant a 36 percent property tax increase. Still, some employees say 40 job cuts isn't fair.

Troy resident Sally Degnon told YNN, "I think I speak for my other coworkers, when I say, this, just days before Christmas, isn't necessary."

Degnon went on to say, "We just didn't have adequate information to make an educated vote. Now we feel that the union has abandoned us and we would like a re-vote."

To that end, Jimino said, "It is the union's job, once we sign a memorandum of understanding with them, to educate their members, to educate our employees who can vote."

As such, a re-vote would be at the union's discretion. Our calls to the union went unanswered. County employees like Degnon say they want to talk before they see pink slips.