Public workers are calling for an across-the-board pay raise, more funding for public services and academic freedom at public universities.
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas state employees, university workers, retirees and community allies gathered at the Capitol on Wednesday to rally and meet with lawmakers.
They started at Wooldridge Square Park and then marched to the steps of the Texas Capitol.
Public workers are calling for an across-the-board pay raise, more funding for public services and academic freedom at public universities.
The union said state agencies face understaffing, and Texas state retirees haven’t seen a pension increase in over two decades.
The union wants an $8,000 raise across the board for all state employees, including higher education workers. There was a pay raise in 2023, but the union said it didn’t include university employees.
They also want a cost-of-living adjustment for retirees who have not received a pension increase since 2002.
Texas State Employees Union President Ilesa Daniels Ross said some state employees in Texas are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living and have to rely on second jobs or public assistance to get by.
“Our retirees have not had a cost-of-living adjustment since 2002, which has reduced our buying power by 40%. We definitely need to get those costs-of-living raises,” Daniels Ross said. “Our employees are behind. They do a lot of work, and they just are not getting enough pay. The No. 1 reason people leave the state is low wages.”
The union is also calling for an end to the return-to-office mandate. Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered thousands of state employees to return to work full-time. The union said this is a politically motivated move that will reduce the efficiency of state services.
State employees spent their time at the Capitol meeting with individual lawmakers. They are hoping to get some financial relief passed before the end of the legislative session.