Saving jobs at the expense of possible furloughs and wage freezes, CSEA members reach a tentative contract agreement with the state. Our Erin Vannella reports.

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ALBANY, N.Y. -- "I would hope and I agree with the governor, layoffs should never be a way of the government balancing their budgets," said CSEA president Danny Donohue.

And in the agreement announced Wednesday, they're not. CSEA members reach a tentative deal with the state to keep people working.

"We have a guarantee in this contract for the first two years, this year and next, that there will be no CSEA layoffs," said Donohue. "And there's language in the contract for years three, four and five that say only in extraordinary circumstances would there be layoffs."

But that doesn't come without concessions. The five year plan excludes raises for the next two years, adds five unpaid days-off in 2011 and four in 2012 and requires employees to pay more out of pocket for health insurance based on pay grade.

"We recognize that no one really wants to go without a salary increase, but we also recognize that we had to do our share to share that so called pain," said Donohue.

CSEA members are hopeful rank and file will understand.

"Well the health care, it's going to be a burden," said CSEA member Barb Carnike. "Especially for the single parents in the lower grades. The sacrifice they've got to make for this is a minimum, but I think it will be bearable for the membership."

"I know they were looking forward to raises and getting more benefits," said CSEA member Ramon Lucas."But the climate we're in now, we can't get these things now. We'd rather save jobs and keep our health costs down. If that's what it takes, that's what it takes."

CSEA rank and file members will vote mid August. If it's rejected, then the state will have little choice but to go ahead with layoffs.

Meanwhile, the New York State Public Employees Federation, PEF, still waits to hear back from the state on its union contract offer. PEF President Ken Brynien says PEF hopes to reach an agreement that balances members' needs with the state's.