Last week's call by Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi for pay cuts in the face of layoffs was met with resistance from the county's union workers.

At a public hearing at the Nassau County Legislature Monday, CSEA President Jerry Laricchiuta said pay cuts are just not a viable option. If Suozzi's call for an across-the-board pay cut of 7 percent is agreed to, it would mean a loss of about $3,000 for the average county worker making $46,000 a year.

Laricchiuta said he wants to make sure the county executive is doing everything he can to avoid the pay cuts. He asked for more time to work out a deal with Suozzi.

Law enforcement officials warned public safety could be at risk if workers are laid off.

?You might not see crime rise today or tomorrow, but eventually it?s going to happen,? Nassau PBA President James Carver said.

Suozzi proposed the pay cuts in an emergency budget speech last week. He said without them, he will be forced to institute layoffs.

At the county executive?s request, the Nassau County Legislature delayed a vote on layoffs. The body will meet again in two weeks. Lawmakers are also considering Suozzi?s plan to further tax home heating fuel and close offices in order to close the budget gap.

Suozziand union leaders open talks on budget woesNassauexec outlines possible cuts and changes