MATT CAPOWSKI/ Arizona Daily Wildcat Union supporters meet at the Northwest Community center yesterday afternoon to discuss the governor's proposal to cut pay raises. A rally to voice opposition to the proposal is scheduled for Feb. 18. The supporters, from left, are: Kali Tal, Carol Krismer, Linda Bohlke and Jeff Imig.

A proposal by Gov. Jane Dee Hull to cut pay raises for state employees sparked concern from university staff and faculty yesterday.

Gathered around a concrete picnic table at the Northwest Community Center, 2160 N. Sixth Ave., five union supporters discussed plans for a Feb. 18 rally to voice their opposition to the governor's proposal.

They are part of a group of University of Arizona employees who have been working since the summer to form a union for all university workers under the department head level.

Jeff Imig, one union supporter, said he was suprised the governor was asking the Legislature to return money that had already been promised to the employees.

"This (proposal) had been passed twice, and it seemed the university administration said it had been put to an end," said Imig. "There seems to be no evidence that something had changed that would warrant this."

Hull announced Wednesday that the state cannot afford to give state and university employees a 5 percent raise, and asked the Legislature to cut the increases.

"Obviously, we think the governor is fear mongering," Imig said. "It's either a raise or thousands of people are out of work."

Linda Bohlke, field representative for the American Federation of State, County, Municipal and Federal Employees said that although the Legislature has twice rejected Hull's plan to cut the raise, the governor's decision to push ahead with the cuts points to the fact that education is in no way a priority to her.

She said the state Legislature would maintain its opposition to the pay cuts.

"They have made it very clear they intend to keep the promises made," Bohlke said. "They recognize they're (state workers) dedicated to civil service."

Peter Medine, a professor of English and a member of the Faculty Senate, has been a vocal supporter of the raises - as disagreement between faculty leaders and administrators has erupted over how the increases should be distributed to faculty.

He said Hull's decision was regressive to the economy because the raises would help the economy by giving UA workers more money to spend within the state.

The less money state employees have in their pockets, the less sales tax revenue the state can allocate, he said.

"It seems to me to be punitive to the dedicated segment of the state citizens who are middle class and dedicated to state service," he said.

Union supporters plan to approach legislators next month to continue to voice their opposition to Hull's proposal.

"To have the governor's plan without any vocal opposition - it's a done deal," Bohlke said. "A grassroots approach is the only way to do it."