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September 28, 2001
Bad Timing for State Workers' Strike?
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Gov. Jesse Ventura has ordered the National Guard to be ready to fulfill vital functions if the workers actually walk off their jobs.
The walkout deadline was pushed from Sept. 17 to Oct. 1 because of the terrorist attacks. The Associated Press reported that last-ditch talks were to resume Thursday on two-year contracts for the workers, who make up more than half of the state work force. Their former contracts expired June 30.
The issues in dispute center on pay and benefits.
A few weeks ago, the two unions involved - the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Council 6 and the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees - overwhelmingly gave the go-ahead for strikes.
But since Sept. 11, even rank-and-file members who are prepared to strike acknowledge that a few of their co-workers are having second thoughts.
"Members are kind of all over the board as to whether we go forward or not," said Lyn Crosby, a 34-year state employee and MAPE member who works in the Department of Human Services.
Still, "the drive is still there" in the organization, Crosby added. "We're not going to take a bad package just because of the national tragedy," she said.
The AP quoted AFSCME member Paul Bissen as saying he hopes union leaders don't back down, though he senses uneasiness.
"We've had a few people who have said maybe it's not appropriate right now," said Bissen, a road and bridge inspector for 17 years.
The state offered across-the-board pay increases of 2.5 percent this year and next for AFSCME, and 2 percent a year for MAPE.
AFSCME's last contract proposal sought across-the-board increases of 6.5 percent for each of two years. MAPE sought 6.3 percent this year and 4.2 percent next year.
The average gross salary for an AFSCME member is $30,000. For MAPE members, it's $49,300.
If either union walks off the job, it would be the first major strike of Minnesota government in two decades.
The usually outspoken Ventura, who campaigned on a platform of fiscal austerity, says the state has made a fair offer. He hasn't injected himself into the negotiations, saying he would rather leave it to his employee relations commissioner.
Ventura spokesman John Wodele said he's not aware of any law that would allow the governor to block a strike.
Prison guards, who are AFSCME members, are barred from striking. But other services would be affected.
The prospect of war and the state of the economy make retired teacher Jean Foley, 66, uncomfortable with the idea of a strike.
"They should wait," said Foley, who sided with the state workers before the terrorist attacks. "There's too many people unemployed and too much patriotism. The world has definitely changed for me."
To view the Associated Press story, click here.