Unions sue Schwarzenegger over mandatory days off

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/politics/cal/la-me-budget23-2008dec23,0,3095209.story



Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times
With the state on track to run out of money in February, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger last week ordered furloughs for state workers. Unions representing those workers say only the Legislature can make such an order.


The lawsuit challenges the governor's authority to require all state employees to take two unpaid furloughs each month starting in February.
By Jordan Rau
December 23, 2008
Reporting from Sacramento -- Two public employee unions on Monday sued Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to block his effort to furlough state workers in a cost-cutting measure as California's treasury runs out of money.

Last week, Schwarzenegger issued an executive order to require that all state employees take two unpaid days off each month starting in February. The governor said the measure is needed to conserve cash, with the state budget gap estimated to reach $42 billion a year and a half from now.



The lawsuit, filed in Sacramento County Superior Court, asserts that only the Legislature can alter the pay of workers who have labor contracts with the state. It asks the courts to issue a temporary stay to stop Schwarzenegger's efforts, which could affect 230,000 workers.

"We don't think he has the authority," said Bruce Blanning, executive director of Professional Engineers in California Government.

The union, which represents 13,000 engineers, surveyors and others working for the state, filed the lawsuit along with the California Assn. of Professional Scientists.

The governor has "asked for a couple of months to try to convince the Legislature to pass a bill to allow him to furlough employees," Blanning said.

FULL story at link.