Hundreds of state employees protested at 65 locations around the state Tuesday against the stalemate over the state budget and the imminent threat of layoffs.

"It's unfair to hold state employees hostage in the budget debate," said Peter Benner, executive director of AFSCME Council 6, which organized the demonstrations. "It's time for the Legislature to get the job done."

Many of the 19,000 state workers represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees face layoff if lawmakers do not pass a budget agreement by June 30, the end of the fiscal year. In addition to the threat of a government shutdown, the budget stalemate has meant no action on a new contract for the state employees.

The state has not even presented an opening proposal in the contract talks, Benner said. "This is the latest state bargaining has ever gone since being started in 1975."

Hundreds of state workers, carrying signs that said "Unfair," left their offices over the lunch hour to picket in front of the Capitol, state office buildings and dozens of other facilities. They were joined by some private sector workers, such as members of the Building Trades who work on publicly funded construction and whose jobs also will be affected if the government shuts down.

Governor Jesse Ventura's budget calls for a 3 percent increase in state employee pay, but "that was never enough to get a fair, reasonable contract settlement," Benner noted. Even when the Legislature approves a budget, a contract settlement will be difficult and a strike is a possibility, he said.

"Hopefully we'll reach an agreement. If not, our members will do what we have to do."

For more information

Visit the AFSCME Council 6 website: http://www.afscmecouncil6.org