The two largest state employee unions MAPE and AFSCME, and representatives of several other unions held a rally in the Capitol rotunda Wednesday, the sixth day of the partial state government shutdown. Union members held signs saying: "We're All Critical," "We Want to Work," and "Shutdown = Failure."
The four fiery speakers drew rousing ovations from the crowd.
Eliot Seide, executive director of AFSCME Council 5 and emcee of the rally, spoke emphatically about the 9,259 state workers out of work through no fault of their own. He roused the crowd with stories about employees holding bake sales to supplement their incomes and about the emotional impact of being determined non-critical.
Furthermore, Seide said that union members were "being held hostage by Governor Pawlenty and the Legislature. Because they can't agree on a budget, we are out of work. That's simply wrong!" He ended his speech by engaging the crowd in energetically repeating, "Let my people go!"
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| Laidoff state employees expressed their frustration with the government shutdown Wednesday at the Capitol. With photographers snapping away, many then signed large postcards (below) that were delivered to the governor and legislative leaders. |
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Jim Monroe, executive director of MAPE, said the current situation is a "total failure of government" and that it's "time to get the lights on without attachments." Monroe called the stalemate a "scam on the citizens of Minnesota."
Ray Waldron, president of Minnesota AFL-CIO, said the governor began his term in office talking about accountability, but that he hasn't been talking about accountability lately. Amid rousing cheers, Waldron said, "It's time for the governor to be accountable."
Marcia Avner, public policy director of the Minnesota Council of Non Profits, said if everyone works together -- state workers, non-profits, and communities of faith -- everyone will progress and that will bring quality to Minnesota.
After Avner's speech, Seide asked for a moment of silence for those workers without a paycheck. Then, he directed those present to sign one the five identical petitions imploring the leaders in the Senate and the House, and the governor to pass a budget bill. Delegations then presented the petitions to the four leaders and to the governor. The rest of the union crowd visited their legislators to convey the same message.
The local media were out in force. In fact, Erik Eskola, from WCCO Radio, interviewed this reporter because this reporter is a laid off state worker. In response to Eskola's questions, this reporter stated that after two weeks the financial impact of the strike would hurt.
Asked who is to blame, he said both political parties and the governor were to blame, but the Republicans and the governor are the most to blame. That not passing a continuing resolution to keep government going as before is unconscionable. When asked how long the shutdown would last, he said, "A long time, unless it gets resolved in the next few days. That's because the difference is about right wing ideology, and facts bounce off ideology."
Steve Katz is a state employee, MAPE member and graduate student in the UMD Master's of Advocacy program. He is also an intern with Workday Minnesota this summer.
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The two largest state employee unions MAPE and AFSCME, and representatives of several other unions held a rally in the Capitol rotunda Wednesday, the sixth day of the partial state government shutdown. Union members held signs saying: “We’re All Critical,” “We Want to Work,” and “Shutdown = Failure.”
The four fiery speakers drew rousing ovations from the crowd.
Eliot Seide, executive director of AFSCME Council 5 and emcee of the rally, spoke emphatically about the 9,259 state workers out of work through no fault of their own. He roused the crowd with stories about employees holding bake sales to supplement their incomes and about the emotional impact of being determined non-critical.
Furthermore, Seide said that union members were “being held hostage by Governor Pawlenty and the Legislature. Because they can’t agree on a budget, we are out of work. That’s simply wrong!” He ended his speech by engaging the crowd in energetically repeating, “Let my people go!”
|
| Laidoff state employees expressed their frustration with the government shutdown Wednesday at the Capitol. With photographers snapping away, many then signed large postcards (below) that were delivered to the governor and legislative leaders. |
|
Jim Monroe, executive director of MAPE, said the current situation is a “total failure of government” and that it’s “time to get the lights on without attachments.” Monroe called the stalemate a “scam on the citizens of Minnesota.”
Ray Waldron, president of Minnesota AFL-CIO, said the governor began his term in office talking about accountability, but that he hasn’t been talking about accountability lately. Amid rousing cheers, Waldron said, “It’s time for the governor to be accountable.”
Marcia Avner, public policy director of the Minnesota Council of Non Profits, said if everyone works together — state workers, non-profits, and communities of faith — everyone will progress and that will bring quality to Minnesota.
After Avner’s speech, Seide asked for a moment of silence for those workers without a paycheck. Then, he directed those present to sign one the five identical petitions imploring the leaders in the Senate and the House, and the governor to pass a budget bill. Delegations then presented the petitions to the four leaders and to the governor. The rest of the union crowd visited their legislators to convey the same message.
The local media were out in force. In fact, Erik Eskola, from WCCO Radio, interviewed this reporter because this reporter is a laid off state worker. In response to Eskola’s questions, this reporter stated that after two weeks the financial impact of the strike would hurt.
Asked who is to blame, he said both political parties and the governor were to blame, but the Republicans and the governor are the most to blame. That not passing a continuing resolution to keep government going as before is unconscionable. When asked how long the shutdown would last, he said, “A long time, unless it gets resolved in the next few days. That’s because the difference is about right wing ideology, and facts bounce off ideology.”
Steve Katz is a state employee, MAPE member and graduate student in the UMD Master’s of Advocacy program. He is also an intern with Workday Minnesota this summer.