Minn. public workers get governor greeting

Published 10:09 am Monday, July 25, 2011

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota state employees are returning for their first full week of work after a prolonged shutdown, and some got a handshake from Gov. Mark Dayton on the way in.

The Democrat stood outside two state buildings Monday to thank state workers and welcome them back. More than 22,000 were on the sidelines for almost three weeks during a budget standoff between Dayton and legislative Republicans.

Most actually returned to work on Thursday when darkened state agencies came back on line.

While most workers at the Transportation Department’s headquarters stopped for a brief handshake, some state employees posed for photos with Dayton and one woman offered the governor a flower she brought for her desk. Dayton declined.

State workers won’t be eligible for back pay for lost work time.