State workers rally for raise

RALEIGH -- About 250 state employees rallied today at the Capitol before marching to the General Assembly to press House lawmakers for a 5 percent annual raise.

Under a proposed budget released by House leaders on Monday, state employees would get a 2.5 percent average increase. Permanent state employees would receive a one-time bonus of $400.

That budget, which is supported by Gov. Mike Easley, includes an average raise of 5 percent for public school teachers and community college faculty.

The State Employees Association of North Carolina vehemently opposes the proposal and is vowing to hold up the budgetary process unless all state employees get the 5 percent raise.

"We need eight votes from the Democratic caucus to stop this budget," said Dana Cope, executive director of the State Employees Association, who was speaking to the crowd amid a light drizzle. "We've done it before."

Knightdale Democrat Linda Coleman held up passage of the state budget last year with an unsuccessful push for higher state employee raises.

Any reworking of this year's House budget would have to get through the Senate and possibly a veto from Gov. Easley.

The governor's budget, released in February, did not make room for a 5-percent salary increase for state workers. The House plans to approve its version of the budget by the end of the week.