State budget costs worker's paychecks
Wednesday, July 29th, 2009
By: Scott Gilbert
Pennsylvania state workers say they're running out of money because the state budget is costing them paychecks. Hundreds of them took their message to lawmakers Tuesday.
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State employees representing at least eight unions turned the steps of the state Capitol into a sea of green shirts. They wielded signs emblazoned with pointed slogans that all go back to one central message: pass a budget.
The workers won't see another paycheck until a spending plan is passed.
David Fillman, Executive Director of AFSCME Council 13, says something's wrong when public service workers have to wait in line at local food banks.
Fillman: Brothers and sisters, you're public employees, you're the best and you do the job the best you can. Now these clowns behind us should be doing their job so you get paid! (cheers out)
Governor Rendell has asked employees to keep working so government can remain open, with a promise that workers will collect back pay once a budget is in place.
But with the state budget impasse entering its fifth week with no sign of a pending agreement, thousands are wondering how many payless paydays are in store.