MN - State Services Slowed By Strike -- National Guard To Play Key Role

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State Services Slowed By Strike

National Guard To Play Key Role

Posted: 11:55 a.m. CDT October 1, 2001

MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesotans can expect a few changes now that state workers are walking the picket lines.

The state employees' strike, which started Monday, might affect some services on which many Minnesotans rely. State officials said that residents can expect slower response times for some services.

National Guard personnel have been trained to assist at regional treatment centers, group homes, sex offender facilities and state nursing homes.

Although classes are expected to remain in session, many Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system employees might walk out. A MnSCU strike might affect grounds keeping, janitorial upkeep, food service and administrative services.

About 56 percent of Minnesota’s state government work force might be affected. About 18,000 American Federation of State and County Municipal Employees Council 6 members and 10,500 Minnesota Association of Professional Employees members could strike.

AFSCME workers perform a variety of occupations, including highway and building maintenance; custodial, grounds keeping and food services; clerical and administrative support; and technical staff, such as college laboratory and classroom assistants.

MAPE employees perform the following state government duties:

Accounting and taxation

Information technology Social work

Probation and parole

Management of parks and natural resources

Pollution control Operation of health and agricultural laboratories and programs

Job services and unemployment Regulation and oversight of various industries and activities

Gov. Jesse Ventura's administration convened a statewide strike response team to plan and prepare for a strike. Ventura issued an emergency executive order Monday, allowing the National Guard and other state employees to ensure that priority state operations are covered.

About 1,000 National Guard personnel and 700 state employees have been trained. They will temporarily be assigned to designated locations.

"Government will be open for business, although any work stoppage involving a large part of the state workforce will likely slow down response time," said David Fisher, commissioner of the department of administration. "Citizens can continue to look to state government to do its job, but they also should expect to receive slower service during this difficult time."

Officials said that the strike is expected to affect the following services:

Health department officials will reserve resources for critical functions, such as disease outbreaks. Restaurant and food safety inspections might be limited.

Bureau of Criminal Apprehension crime lab processing might be slowed. Driver and vehicle services will reduce operations. Private security guards might be hired to replace striking Capitol security workers. State prison guards cannot strike. Delays in revenue department operations, such as payments to local governments, charities and nursing homes. Most available Revenue Department personnel are being diverted to tax collections. Minnesotans can file unemployment insurance claims on the Internet or by calling (651) 296-3644 or (877) 898-9090) to receive benefits. Placement services will be limited.

The Minnesota Zoo will close to visitors. Manager will care for animals.

Department of Agriculture food, dairy and meat inspections will continue, along with responses to pesticide spills and other emergencies, but perhaps at reduced levels.

Road construction projects are privately contracted and aren't affected, but routine maintenance such as mowing along highways is being curtailed.

University of Minnesota workers are not on strike because they bargain separately from other state employees.

State parks, trails and public lake access points are open, but with fewer programs.

Fall hunting seasons continue as planned and DNR conservation officers remain on duty.

For the latest news and updates, stay tuned to WCCO 4 News.



-- PHO (owennos@bigfoot.com), October 01, 2001

Answers

This is a problem for the newly unemployed. Applications for benefits are not being processed. New unemployment checks won't be sent out until the strike is settled.

-- John Littmann (johntl@mtn.org), October 02, 2001.

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