My job recently contracted out work that it has done in the past and now is leaving 20 plus drivers without work and is asking us to stay at home for an eight hour period on a telephone standby. My question is " In NY State is it legal to have an employee on telephone standby without paying them a salary or any type of compensation. They did not fire or layoff anyone so we cannot file for unemployment?"

They don't have to pay you for 'on call'. Personally I don't know anywhere that pays for on call
You should be able to collect unemployment
EXCEPT for any days they call you and you do not answer the phone or turn down work.
You don't have to be fired or laid off to collect. Lack of work is enough reason