ST. PAUL, Minn., Oct. 2 (UPI) -- Virtually every aspect of state government was affected Tuesday in the second day of a strike by unions representing more than half of Minnesota's 55,000 state employees.
Drivers' testing facilities were dark, the Minnesota Zoo was closed to the public and National Guard troops were doing housekeeping chores at state care facilities.
Capitol security guards, highway maintenance crews, tax collectors, clerical workers and parole and probation officers also were walking picket lines.
Teamsters union officials said their drivers would not cross the picket lines to deliver goods to state buildings. State troopers and prison guards did not participate in the walkout.
No new talks were scheduled.
Minnesota Employee Relations Commissioner Julien Carter said he doubts the state will sweeten any future offer by much, considering the state's economic condition. Gov. Jesse Ventura issued a statement Monday saying he would not approve anything that put the state's fiscal health in jeopardy.
The walkout is the first by state workers in Minnesota since 1981. The earlier strike affected 14,000 public employees, who were out for 22 days. About 25 percent of employees eligible to strike did not do so.
AFSCME Council Six and the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees walked off the job Monday following failed weekend contract talks. They had delayed the strike two weeks because of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks but union leaders said they could not delay the action longer.
AFSCME has sought a 5 percent raise in each year of a two-year contract while MAPE is seeking 4.5 percent. The state offered 3 percent in each year to AFSCME and MAPE a one-time 4 percent increase.
Health insurance also is an issue. The state wants to impose higher co-payments to reduce premium costs.
AFSCME represents about 19,000 mostly blue-collar and clerical workers; MAPE represents some 10,500 higher-paid professionals.
