Scores of state employees used their Presidents Day holiday to rally at the Capitol for better wages and working conditions.

Many were state Division of Highways workers who believe recent state equipment auctions are a sign the Manchin administration is moving to privatize road upkeep. Administration officials have said that is not true, but workers want an audit of the DOH, claiming some in upper management are purchasing the used equipment.

"They're trying to privatize us out of existence," said Ben Griffith, a Jackson County DOH worker who heads his local of the West Virginia Public Workers Union.

"I don't know where they get that idea," said Delegate Mitch Carmichael, R-Jackson.

"The citizens of West Virginia are going to pay through the nose if contractors get in here," Griffith said.

Carmichael agreed most DOH employees are underpaid, but said the need to fund $78 million for teachers' retirement "limits what you can do for programs."

The Manchin administration has proposed a 3 percent raise for all state employees this year.

Griffith said that's not enough, especially considering some DOH employees qualify for food stamps.

Democratic gubernatorial challenger Delegate Mel Kessler, D-Raleigh, said the employees had received "only cost-of-living raises" in recent years when the state budget has been flush.

Scores of state employees used their Presidents Day holiday to rally at the Capitol for better wages and working conditions.

Many were state Division of Highways workers who believe recent state equipment auctions are a sign the Manchin administration is moving to privatize road upkeep. Administration officials have said that is not true, but workers want an audit of the DOH, claiming some in upper management are purchasing the used equipment.

"They're trying to privatize us out of existence," said Ben Griffith, a Jackson County DOH worker who heads his local of the West Virginia Public Workers Union.

"I don't know where they get that idea," said Delegate Mitch Carmichael, R-Jackson.

"The citizens of West Virginia are going to pay through the nose if contractors get in here," Griffith said.

Carmichael agreed most DOH employees are underpaid, but said the need to fund $78 million for teachers' retirement "limits what you can do for programs."

The Manchin administration has proposed a 3 percent raise for all state employees this year.

Griffith said that's not enough, especially considering some DOH employees qualify for food stamps.

Democratic gubernatorial challenger Delegate Mel Kessler, D-Raleigh, said the employees had received "only cost-of-living raises" in recent years when the state budget has been flush.

"I do want to pay our debts off, but I don't want to do it on your backs," Kessler said.

He was joined by House Majority Leader Joe DeLong, D-Hancock, and a candidate for secretary of state, who noted the Legislature took Manchin's pay proposal of last year - a one-time, 2.5 percent bonus for DOH workers - and made it into a 3.5 percent pay increase.

Social worker Sandra Summers of Jackson County said her office, the Department of Health and Human Resources' Bureau of Children and Family, is also understaffed and underpaid.

"There are no caseload standards for us," she said.

Workers must meet deadlines and certain criteria while having additional cases thrown upon them, she said. In addition, she complained she has to work around people who are making methamphetamine and mistreating their families.

"There are no promises made for our personal safety," she said.

DOH worker Eric Bartlett of Spencer said he made the trip to Charleston on a day off for one reason: "To better our workplace."

To contact staff writer Tom Searls, use e-mail or call 348-5198.