Local Government Employees Protest the Sequester

Dozens of local government employees protest the sequester and looming cuts.

 Employees from Crane Naval Base in Crane, Indiana are worried that legislators from both sides of the aisle can't come up with a budget agreement...

Employees say sequester cuts could really hurt many people in this country.

And though they're a small bunch, they say they hope that message has a big impact.

"We're just going to have to take everything we have and pay everything we owe, and try to keep food on the table," said Crane employee Lois Mitchell.

Lois Mitchell is among the dozens of government employees outside the Crane Naval Base protesting the cuts imposed by the federal budget sequester.

"Stop the sequestration, stop the furloughs, stop the pay freeze. We're hard working patriotic people, trying to do what's best for our country, and we want you to do likewise," said AFGE Local 1415 President Jimmy Colvin.

Many of the cuts would directly impact local union workers and other Crane employees.

"If they don't reach an agreement on this, I'm afraid it's going to get worse; it's going to get darker each day," said Crane employee Connie Alsman.

The Department of Defense says if a budget compromise between both parties is not made before April 26th, furloughs will begin for defense department employees.

"We support the war fighters, and if we're not here, we can't do that," said Colvin.

Mitchell's grandson deployed to Afghanistan a week ago, she says if the cuts go through, his life could be even more at risk.

"I'm really worried, I'm more worried about my grandson than myself; he needs to protect himself," said Mitchell.

The local union president once served in the military, and says he has the same fear for our soldiers.

"I know from first hand experience what it's like to depend on people back home to support you. Without that support, you're definitely in harms way, and a lot of bad things could happen," said Colvin.

Protestors say the cuts would also affect their livelihood, and as a result, the overall economy.

"It will be hard for us to do anything extra to help the community ourselves," said Crane employee Connie Bush.

"Some families like us might lose our homes to this, so it's not helping the economy at all," said Alsman. 

That's another reason why Mitchell wants Congress to reach a budget agreement.

"I'd like for everyone to pray that the sequester cuts won't go through, and that everyone will be able to keep their jobs," said Mitchell.

Cuts would bring Crane employees 22 days off without pay each year and a long-term pay freeze. The furlough means a 20 percent cut in pay, according to the local union.