New York's Public  Employees Fair Employment Act - better known as the Taylor Law - was designed to balance the broad public interest and the narrower interests of unionized government workers.  Enacted in 1967, the law provided a framework for orderly resolution of labor disputes with public employee unions.  

However, New Yorkers have paid a steep price for public-sector labor peace.  While the Taylor Law led to an expansion of union membership and political power in the state, high personnel costs in state and local government are a leading factor in what Governor Spitzer has described as "a perfect storm of unaffordability" threatening New York's future.

The Empire Center marked the 40th anniversary of the Taylor Law with a special project highlighting the law's impact and the need for reform.  Entitled Taylor Made: the Cost and Consequences of New York's Public-Sector Labor Laws, the project produced research and legal analysis that was debated at a public forum in Albany. 

Details can be found at the following links:

News Coverage:

Labor reform has little chance Gannett News Service, October 20, 2007
Payroll costs too high, Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, October 21, 2007
Taylor Law: The ladling of the gravy Schenectady Daily Gazette, October 18, 2007
Taylor Law faulted and defended at Albany conference Gannett News Service, October 17, 2007
New York's real issues go ignored Newsday, October 17, 2007
Report says Taylor Law adds to tax burden Gannett News Service, October 16, 2007
Spitzer Faces a test Over Labor Costs New York Sun, October 16, 2007
Landmark Taylor Law gets rare public review Associated Press, October 8, 2007