Supporting the Relocation, Travel, and Lifestyle Needs of the American Military Family

Kathy Jellison and Roni Hamiel, the President and Secretary-Treasurer, respectively, of SEIU Local 668 were joined by dozens of their members holding signs that called on the state legislature to pass a budget that fully funds human services.

"We need a state budget that will both support vital services and protect working families," said Jellison. "We also need a budget that provides a continuing revenue stream for the future, so we don't face these problems every year."

Hamiel said that union members are "angry that Republican Senators want to drastically cut or eliminate many vital human services programs that are life-savers for the sick, the needy, and the poor. Failure to pass a budget on time not only robs state workers and our members, but the public and our communities as well."

Jellison and Hamiel called on Republican State Senators to "stop using the budget crisis to gut human services programs."

Local 668 members carried signs referring to themselves as "budget hostages." State workers have been on the job since July 1(st), but they won't receive paychecks for the work they did in July until the budget is passed.

"We know this is a 'tough' budget year," said Jellison. "But 'tough' means making the right choices. 'Tough' does not mean pushing the funding off on county and local governments that rely on property taxes or taking away the safety nets for our most vulnerable citizens."

Hamiel asked the public to contact their legislators and "tell them to pass a fair budget - not one that makes drastic cuts in vital human services programs."

SEIU Local 668 represents over 20,000 employees who work in state and county government in Pennsylvania. Visit their website at www.seiu668.org.

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SOURCE Caramar, Inc.