NASHVILLE (AP) - State employees are speaking out against Republican Gov. Bill Haslam's proposal to dial back civil service protections, arguing that the move could result in cronyism.

Members of the Tennessee State Employees Association gathered outside the Capitol and the main state office building in Nashville on Tuesday to protest the bill that would make it easier for the governor to hire and fire state workers.

The measure would eliminate rules that allow bumping and retreating, which association officials say removes seniority as a prime protection for state employees when layoffs are deemed necessary.

Robert O'Connell, the association's executive director, argued that the changes would allow for hiring decisions to be made for political reasons rather than on the basis of experience.