SYRACUSE -- They came with signs scribbled with support for the unions.  Andrea Levandowski works in Child Protective services.  She's one of 2,100 facing a forced reduction in working hours under County Executive Joanie Mahoney's budget proposal.  Levandowski says the county can find cost saving measures somewhere else.  Andrea says, "They're telling us we're nonessential, we protect the children of Onondaga County how is that not important?"

Leon Spisak has worked for the county for 25 years.  In that time, he says he's given enough.  Leon says, "I've been bumped, transferred, and demoted 6 times already, and still she wants more.  How much more can you take?"

Union members signed a contract with Onondaga County last October.  Because it is binding, they say that's reason enough to not be forced to give up raises or take the proposed cuts.  But lawmakers say it's the only way to close a $50 million budget gap.