The reason is because years ago, the govt. paid very little in salary.  To compensate for this loss, benefits and pensions were created to make the govt. competitive with the private sector.  People are upset today, because the private sector is losing jobs and govt. ones appear to be more stable.  Look back to the 1970's and research teacher pay as an example.  Who would pay for a Master's Degree to work in NYS if the pay was around 7-11,000?  The recession has villanized the govt. employee.