EVERETT -- In a calculated move as the Legislature works on the budget, thousands of state employees from Aberdeen to Yakima walked off the job Wednesday and picketed for better pay.
Lorrie Ellis said, "We are making less today than we were 10 years ago."
Ellis said she and her colleagues haven't had a raise since 2008. During that seven-year stretch, they have had pay cuts and furloughs.
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State employees walkout
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Kit Apsel works at Everett Community College. Apsel said, "I made more money working in a restaurant than I do here but I stayed because I love it."
State workers negotiated a 4 % raise over the next two years with the governor's budget office, but that agreement must be approved by the Legislature in the state budget. Lawmakers currently are working in a special session to pass a budget.
State Rep. Luis Moscoso, D-Mountlake Terrace, said he is on board.
"These folks are doing an incredible amount of work for the state of Washington that I think is under-appreciated and oftentimes they`re set up as the fall guy," Moscoso said.
Union leaders said they were happy with their demonstrations Wednesday.
The Legislature's special session ends May 28 and many believe a second special session will be necessary.