13-05-2025
NC workers join together to call on lawmakers to address some of their biggest needs
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Dozens of state union workers gathered in front of the State Legislative Building in Raleigh on Tuesday for Political Action Day.
As the General Assembly works on the state budget, union workers with UE 150 made sure they weren't forgotten about.
Workers from Kinston to Morganton were in attendance to discuss understaffing in state facilities and how they're working with legislators to pass the budget for Fiscal Year 2026.
The group is asking state leaders for a list of needs.
That includes filling a $1.2 billion budget gap in the State Health Plan.
'The State must invest into the huge State Health Plan budget gap, and significant pay raises for state workers and retirees this year,' said Sekia Royall, a cook at O'Berry Neuromedical Treatment Center in Goldsboro and past president of UE150.
UE 150 is also asking for an increase in state wages.
The group says they want to see a $25 an hour minimum wage for state employees, that is a 20% increase in salary.
'Minimum wage is still $7.25, who's supposed to live off that?' said Charles Owens, Healthcare Tech with Cherry Hospital in Goldsboro.
When it comes to UNC system workers, they're also asking to create sanctuary status to protect undocumented workers and students from federal enforcement agents.
Overall, the organization says state employees are working in areas that are incredibly understaffed.
William Young, a cook at Cherry Hospital, has seen it first hand.
'I work at a hospital and a lot of hospital workers are working long hours and not getting paid enough money and just absolutely getting stressed out,' said Young.
You can view the full list of what they're asking for below.
2025-Political-Action-PrioritiesDownload
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