Local 49 Statement on Pawlenty’s Massive Budget Cuts

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA — In response to Governor Tim Pawlenty’s massive budget slashes, the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 49, Business Manager Glen Johnson released the following statement:

“While Governor Pawlenty celebrates what he feels is a political victory, thousands of Minnesota’s working men and women will soon feel the pain of these massive budget cuts. From workers at hospitals to state universities to municipalities, good people will start receiving pink slips, while retirees and the most vulnerable will be left with little or no assistance,” said Johnson, whose union represents 13,000 men and women in Minnesota, North and South Dakota.

“In no way should the governor be proud of achieving a balanced budget. He should be ashamed of himself for doing it on the backs of hardworking men and women, and in disregard of the legislative process.”

“During the past two months, Local 49 joined a coalition of other labor and progressive groups urging the governor to at least listen and consider Minnesota’s middle class in trying to balance our state’s deficit. Instead, he chose to ignore our well-reasoned and responsible alternatives for funding for health care, higher education, aid to local governments and other important safety nets. In fact, his iron-fisted, stubborn approach will exacerbate our state’s deficit for years, Johnson concluded.”