Local unions join strike

By KURT NESBITT

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM-- Members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) joined together with members of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE) on Monday, in strikes at various state facilities in the area.

The strike is the first by state employees since 1981 and is the largest in Minnesota history.

"We'll be out here every day," said Mark Lindquist, a regional planner with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in New Ulm. "The long and short of it is that almost no work is being done until we settle the contracts."

Lindquist stood at the base of the driveway he normally travels every day to work. On Monday morning, he, along with about 10 other DNR employees, gathered with signs, food, lawn chairs and a transistor radio beside U.S. Highway 15 south of New Ulm. They stood wearing jackets, sunglasses and hats, holding their picket signs high and waving to passing motorists.

Chris Hughes, a BWRS conservationist, said he saw several passing cars, trucks and semi trailers honking horns in show of support for the strikes. Only on a rare occasion, he said, there was negative reaction.

"There have only been about two that have been negative," he said. "When that happens, we just wave at them."

Back at the DNR's building, all was quiet. While nearly 80 percent of the AFSCME and MAPE workers that staff the building were out picketing, there were a few who crossed the lines to go work.

Workers at the DNR regional headquarters outside New Ulm would not comment on how the picket lines will affect DNR services, saying they were instructed to refer media questions to the DNR's headquarters in St. Paul.

"Speaking generally, we will see a reduction in services," said DNR communications director Dennis Stauffer .

He said state parks, wildfire response teams and the DNR's fish restocking programs will see the most significant effects of the strike.

"I just hope it gets over with," he said. "I think it's in everybody's interest to get this over with as soon as possible and I think that'll happen."