Gov. Jesse Ventura is the hot topic on the picket line. He has threatened layoffs if state workers win pay hikes. He has also made clear that he believes state workers should not have picked this time to strike. The governor has deployed 1,000 National Guardsmen to do struck work in hospitals and nursing care facilities. Strikers intend to picket the governor's mansion every day.

"I will not raise taxes to fit in whatever compensation package we end up with," Ventura told the press. "Some of these very people who are striking for more money are at risk of losing their jobs... because we will be downsizing accordingly," he added. Strikers are quick to point out that there has been a surplus in the state budget, with taxpayers getting rebates while contract negotiations were taking place this summer.

"I can tell you personally, I would be going to work," said Ventura in a radio interview. "We're going to war in my opinion. In a war, everyone has to bite the bullet," he said, while maintaining his belief in union members' right to strike.

The striking unions organized an expanded picket line in front of the governor's mansion October 6 during a Twin Cities marathon race, which passed by the mansion. The strikers were able to receive some publicity for their fight as a result. Like the rest of the working class, the strikers are divided in their attitudes toward the U.S. government's war moves against Afghanistan. But every striker spoken to by reporters for the Militant was united on the need to fight now for living wages and against higher heath-care costs proposed by the state.

On the picket line workers reported activity around the state. In Rochester, the Teacher's Union at Winona State University organized a rally and the Student Senate has started a letter-writing campaign to the governor. A rally of 200 strikers was held in Hibbing and 100 in Fergus Falls.

In St. Cloud, a huge banner at the main entrance to St. Cloud State University says, "This strike brought to you by the Ventura administration." At Minnesota State University in Mankato both teachers and students are wearing union buttons and walking picket lines.

A New York Firefighters Union member sent a message: "We will mourn our dead. You fight like hell for the living."

This week AFSCME International president Gerard McEntee and Secretary Treasurer Bill Lucy will be in Minnesota to speak at rallies throughout the state.

The Pioneer Press reported October 5 that the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDot) released their plan for clearing roads during a snowstorm with their 1,400 snowplow drivers on strike. Doug Weiszhar, chief engineer of MnDot, said the department has identified 160 employees who could have the training and licensing needed to operate snowplows and he hopes to hire another 150. Some strikers say in the case of an early snow season this year--something quite possible in this northerly state--the state plans will be inadequate to keep the roads open.

AFSCME and MAPE represent more than half of the state's approximately 55,000 workers.

Becky Ellis is a sewing machine operator.  
 
 
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