New York will forcefully retire elderly judges: all because of the fiscal crisis

The move will save New York State $ 55 million. The judges called this decision short-sighted and accused the authorities of discriminating against them on the basis of age. The details are shared by the publication New York Post.

“This is age-based discrimination, a slap in the face for older people, and it will lead to legal action,” said Allen Roskoff, a legendary gay rights activist who has led the LGBT and social justice movements for more than five decades.

Another politician, Alan Flacks, said: “This is a very serious matter. The judges are very upset. "

The mandatory retirement age for judges in New York, enshrined in the state constitution since 1894, is 70 years. However, judges who have reached this age could previously apply to continue working after reaching retirement age.

Now 46 of 49 judges over the age of 70 who were awaiting an extension in 2021 will be unemployed on January 1. The move is expected to save the state $ 55 million.

The 46 judges represent approximately 3,5% of the nearly 1400 paid judges in the New York State court system. It is worth noting that state Supreme Court justices earn $ 210 annually.

Kathryn Freed, 73, a Manhattan Supreme Court Justice, believes the mandatory retirement age is a relic of the 1800s. “The presence of an age limit of 70 is age discrimination,” she stressed.

On the subject: New York may fire 22 thousand city workers due to financial problems

Fried also questioned whether laying off the most experienced workers to balance the budget is a smart move. “We are filling a niche. We need more judges, not less, ”Fried is sure.

Courts are already flooded with lawsuits in connection with the COVID-19 outbreaks, she said.

Ellen Gesmer, 70, Manhattan Court of Appeals judge, said she still has a lot to do. “I am very unhappy. I love my job so much and I am full of energy, ”she said.

Gesmer also believes that the dismissal of judges due to their age will complicate the work of the judicial system as a whole. Especially now, when the pandemic has accumulated a lot of pending cases.

When asked whether layoffs are age discrimination, Gesmer declined to comment.

Lucian Chalfen, a spokesman for the Office of Judicial Administration, said the refusal to extend the terms of office of judges was a "difficult decision." But it will help address the $ 300 million cut in the state courts' budget imposed by Governor Andrew Cuomo and the legislature.

“The pandemic, a truly unique and unprecedented situation, requires common sacrifices,” Chalfen said. “Although the loss of these judges will have significant consequences, over the past seven months the judicial system has continued to function and its activities have been rethought almost overnight. At the same time, the staff of the judicial and non-judicial bodies only intensified their efforts to maintain the basic functions. "