FEDERAL COURT STOPS FURLOUGHS FOR NOW

A state worker had a message for the governor

at the CSEA PEF Rochester rally against furloughs on May 10

(photo by Bess Watts)

Albany, N.Y.--  In a major victory for working people, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York has granted a temporary restraining order preventing Governor David Paterson from proceeding with his planned furloughs of state employees.

"CSEA is proud that the court agreed with our contention that this action would cause irreparable harm to our members and undermine state services," said CSEA President Danny Donohue. "Governor David Paterson's plan was ill advised and demonstrates action that was not in the best interest of New Yorkers. CSEA believes that the Governor's plan would have created even more chaos and crisis."

The restraining order also enjoins the governor from submitting further extender appropriation bills that include provisions requiring furloughs or exclude the payment of contracted-for salary raises.

U.S. District Judge Lawrence Kahn says that until he rules on the union lawsuits seeking an injunction, Paterson and lawmakers are temporarily blocked from implementing any furloughs.

The Legislature approved unpaid furloughs one day a week in a short-term funding measure approved this week.  Kahn says in his order that the unions have shown a permanent 20 percent loss in wages or salaries would constitute irreparable harm. He has set a deadline for reply briefs and scheduled a hearing for May 26.

For a copy of the federal court decision, go to http://www.csealocal1000.org/ .