TAMPA, Fla. — State employees across Florida want their voices heard when it comes to pay increases.
Thousands of state employees will rally in Tampa, Miami, Jacksonville and Tallahassee on Tuesday to urge Governor Ron Desantis and legislatures to include them in the 2020 budget.
In November, a union representative with the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, or AFSCME met with state members to request an increase in pay.
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Some state employees said they have not received a pay increase in years and are having to work multiple jobs to stay afloat.
They are requesting a 5% overall increase in addition to a 2% cost of living allowance.
Union representatives said the increase would cost about $156 million dollars.
Compare that to the $91.4 billion dollar proposed budget by Governor Desantis and the $600 million dollars he has allotted for teacher pay increase and state employees say this request is feasible.
Now, they are hoping changes will come after they rally around the state.
