City workers protest lack of a raise
11:34 p.m. Tuesday, August 26, 2008
City workers are saying, "Show me the money!"
They say the city has let them down when it comes to fair wages.
Dozens of employees took to the picket line before tonight's council meeting.
They were expecting a 3 percent raise, but the new budget has no money for raises.
City employees say they've been punished because the city can't balance its budget.
Lisa Ochs with the Kansas Association of Public Employees spoke for the workers.
"We believe that this is bad faith bargaining," Ochs said. "The city was at the bargaining table discussing everything including wages which is mandatory subject and this is what they came back with."
Union leaders also say the past wage increases are lower than the national average.
Tuesday, the council was going to vote on whether to add a sales tax increase question on the November ballot. That item has been tabled until January of 2009.
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