Protect public services, members of AFSCME told state lawmakers as the Minnesota Legislature opened its 2006 session Wednesday. Members of the public employee union rallied to demand accountability and an end to government shutdowns -- and oppose privatization of public services.
"We're here today to demand accountability and an end to government shutdowns," said Eliot Seide, executive director of AFSCME Council 5, a union representing 40,000 public and nonprofit workers in Minnesota. "We're here to tell legislators that our public services are not for sale."
Nearly 900 AFSCME members rallied in the rotunda of the state Capitol, then marched to the governor's office to drop off ballots opposing privatization. They also held scores of meetings with lawmakers to discuss their priorities.
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| Picking up on the theme from a popular movie, AFSCME members carried signs saying, "I know what you did last summer," referring to the state government shutdown that occurred when the governor and legislators failed to reach a budget agreement. |
Wounds remain raw from the government shutdown that locked nearly 9,300 state employees out of work last July when Governor Tim Pawlenty and legislators failed to reach a budget agreement.
"The shutdown put a black eye on Minnesota," said Bart Andersen, who inspects and maintains bridges for the Department of Transportation. "Never again should political gridlock be permitted to shut down any portion of state government. We need a law to keep public services open when politicians fail to reach a budget. Taxpayers and state employees deserve this protection."
 |
| To demonstrate their clout at the polls, AFSCME members dropped ballots opposing privatization in a box outside Governor Tim Pawlenty's office. |
Other priorities for AFSCME include:
* Require public ownership and operation of correctional facilities;
* Protect and fund the quality education, transportation, health and human services provided by public employees;
* Stop private takeover of public services;
* Invest in child care; and
* Prevent future shutdowns of government.
For more information
Visit the AFSCME website, www.afscmemn.org
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Protect public services, members of AFSCME told state lawmakers as the Minnesota Legislature opened its 2006 session Wednesday. Members of the public employee union rallied to demand accountability and an end to government shutdowns — and oppose privatization of public services.
“We’re here today to demand accountability and an end to government shutdowns,” said Eliot Seide, executive director of AFSCME Council 5, a union representing 40,000 public and nonprofit workers in Minnesota. “We’re here to tell legislators that our public services are not for sale.”
Nearly 900 AFSCME members rallied in the rotunda of the state Capitol, then marched to the governor’s office to drop off ballots opposing privatization. They also held scores of meetings with lawmakers to discuss their priorities.
|
| Picking up on the theme from a popular movie, AFSCME members carried signs saying, “I know what you did last summer,” referring to the state government shutdown that occurred when the governor and legislators failed to reach a budget agreement. |
Wounds remain raw from the government shutdown that locked nearly 9,300 state employees out of work last July when Governor Tim Pawlenty and legislators failed to reach a budget agreement.
“The shutdown put a black eye on Minnesota,” said Bart Andersen, who inspects and maintains bridges for the Department of Transportation. “Never again should political gridlock be permitted to shut down any portion of state government. We need a law to keep public services open when politicians fail to reach a budget. Taxpayers and state employees deserve this protection.”
|
| To demonstrate their clout at the polls, AFSCME members dropped ballots opposing privatization in a box outside Governor Tim Pawlenty’s office. |
Other priorities for AFSCME include:
* Require public ownership and operation of correctional facilities;
* Protect and fund the quality education, transportation, health and human services provided by public employees;
* Stop private takeover of public services;
* Invest in child care; and
* Prevent future shutdowns of government.
For more information
Visit the AFSCME website, www.afscmemn.org