Workers at southern Indiana's Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center are planning a protest of furloughs and pay freezes stemming from the automatic federal budget cuts.

Crane workers will protest Friday on private property near the center's main entrance, the Herald-Times reported. The employees oppose a three-year pay freeze and pending 22-day work furloughs planned under the cuts. Crane expects $36 million in funding reductions under the cuts.

A union represents about 1,500 Crane workers. Union secretary and treasurer Mary Crow has worked at Crane for 29 years and is leading the protest. She said she's never seen an organized worker protest at Crane before.

Crow said Crane employees further the security of the nation and feel slighted by the cuts.

More than 4,000 employees work at Crane, about 90 miles southwest of Indianapolis.