Judge submits final ruling against furloughs for Hawaii workers

[The Sushi Bandit]

Source: Honolulu Advertiser

HONOLULU — A state judge has filed a final ruling barring Gov. Linda Lingle from unilaterally furloughing state employees.


Tuesday's action opens the way for Lingle and Attorney General Mark Bennett to appeal the decision.

There was no immediate comment about an appeal, though the governor has said an appeal is likely. Legal observers say an appeal must be filed within 30 days.

State employee labor unions challenged Lingle's plan to unilaterally furlough thousands of state workers three days each month to help close the state's budget shortfall.

Earlier this month, Circuit Judge Karl K. Sakamoto ruled unilateral furloughs violated the state constitution, and his final ruling permanently prohibits them. But furloughs remain a part of negotiations with the unions


Read more: http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20090728/BREAKING01/90728083/Judge+submits+final+ruling+against+furloughs+for+Hawaii+workers

[ProgressiveProfessor]

1. Pinks slips have aready been delivered to state workers due to this tactic

Union was really screwed no matter what they did. It was either furloughs or layoffs. No right choice for them and enemies made regardless of what was chosen.

[GingerRed]

2. Already happening in Seattle.

King County employees were given the choice of furloughs or layoffs. What we got was a two week pay cut each year, no cost of living increase, but we kept our jobs. Right now we've got over 10% unemployment, so, we're glad for the jobs.

[paulsby]

3. yes,.

i live in the seattle area and had heard about it. i can't comment on the lingle case, since i am not familiar enough with the HI constitution, at least in this area. i was a cop in hawaii when lingle was a mayor but not a governor, but she seems relatively ok for a repub.

mandatory furloughs SUCK but they are better than getting fired.

for a lot of governments, it's either everybody (except for cops, etc.) takes a furlough , or SOME people get fired. i know that SOME unions have agreed to the furloughs fwiw, others have fought them. of course different legal environments would affect that decision.

[mopinko]

4. happening in chicago

city workers taking 15 days. (i think) basically, getting stripped of their paid holidays, since they are being furloughed on those days, then must take 5 more. now other city agencies and unions, park district, teachers, etc. are being asked to do the same.
most are grateful to be keeping their jobs.