New York ( CNN ) -- Days after a monster blizzard blanketed much of the northeastern U.S. , New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said he will investigate whether sanitation workers intentionally delayed cleanup efforts over frustrations regarding citywide budget cuts . `` It would be an outrage if it took place , '' Bloomberg said Thursday , stressing that his administration 's primary focus is clearing streets in the city 's outer boroughs . Some neighborhoods remained snowbound for days after the storm . Rumors swirled across New York on Thursday that sanitation officers ordered rank-and-file workers to slow down cleanup efforts in retaliation for the city 's belt-tightening measures . City councilman Dan Halloran said three sanitation workers and two Department of Transportation supervisors came to his office saying their supervisors ordered the slowdown , telling workers `` The mayor will see how much he needs us '' and that `` there will be plenty of overtime . '' Bloomberg said that budget cuts had not yet taken effect , but defended them , saying `` the state is facing a budget deficit that 's going to filter down to us . '' The slow cleanup effort hampered morning commuters , delayed first responders and even prevented aircraft service personnel from reaching airports where 29 international flights were stuck on the tarmac for more than three hours , officials said . By Thursday , snow plows had reached nearly every street in the city , Bloomberg said . The head of New York 's sanitation workers ' union , Harry Nespoli , said he was not aware of any slowdown and doubts there was a protest by workers . Nespoli said `` it was one of the biggest blizzards I 've ever seen , '' with wind conditions that severely reduced drivers ' visibility and hampered cleanup efforts . He had earlier blamed harsh winds and budget cuts as reasons for the slow response . `` We were 400 people short , '' said Nespoli , president of the Uniformed Sanitationmen 's Association . `` There are certain services that should not be affected . The people pay taxes for it . '' New York 's Sanitation Officers Association on Thursday posted comments denying allegations of a slowdown . `` When look around your neighborhood and wonder what the heck happened with the City 's snow fighting ability you do n't have to look any further than City Hall , '' the website said . Sanitation Commissioner John Doherty also said he had not seen evidence of a worker protest . `` But we have to look into that , '' he said . Outgoing New York Gov . David Paterson has also weighed in , saying it would be a `` very , very serious breach '' if the accusations are accurate . Paterson called for an investigation Thursday .
NEW : Sanitation Officers Association denies allegations of a worker slowdown . New York Gov . David Paterson calls for an investigation . Sanitation workers union leader says he is unaware of any slowdown . Score: 6