Contract negotiations between State workers unions and the Governor's office begin Tuesday.
Monday, State employees picketed outside Cadillac Place, Governor Snyder's Detroit office. State employees are not happy over some of the concessions he's asking for.
Union representatives for State workers say they have a better solution.
State workers want to know where the shared sacrifice is. They're out here protesting Governor Snyder's proposed cuts, and they're raising their voices loud and clear.
"The state tries to claim they were broke, is what they always cry. Now it turns out that they have a budget surplus. They just gave away 1.8 billion dollars to businesses. They have the money. It's where they choose to spend it," said Jim Walkowicz.
"I'd like to see the whole idea of concessions be taken off the table," said retired State worker Rose Klein.
The governor is looking for $145 million worth of concessions from State employees to help balance Michigan's 2012 budget. If concessions aren't made, the unions say layoffs pose a threat. @
Instead of cutting wages and benefits, the unions say they presented an alternative plan to Snyder's administration, that has yet to be addressed. Unions suggest cutting "contracted work" by 10%. They say a $100 million would be saved. Also, increase the ratio of supervisors to employees from 5 to 1...to 6 to 1.
They say cutting extra supervisors will save the state $75 million.
"So that'll be $175 million and the state is only asking for $145 million in concessions. So that will take care of concessions. They wouldn't have to lay off employees, and the Michigan public safety net would not be threatened.," said local UAW president, Ed Mitchell.
If an agreement is not reached and layoffs are needed, the administration says unions will receive layoff notices by September 1st.
