Judge stops furloughs, issues restraining order

[IScreamSundays]

Source: The Business Review

A federal judge has barred Gov. David Paterson from going through with the planned furlough of 100,000 state workers next week.

Late Wednesday, U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence E. Kahn issued a temporary restraining order against Paterson, in response to lawsuits filed by four labor unions.

Kahn’s order prevents any furloughs from occurring before a hearing scheduled for May 26. It also temporarily bars Paterson from submitting any more emergency spending plans that include provisions authorizing furloughs.

In addition, the ruling orders Paterson to immediately allot the money to pay the 4 percent salary increase due all unionized workers as of April 1. Paterson had withheld the money, saying the added expense of more than $400 million of payroll would drive the state into insolvency.


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Read more: http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/stories/2010/05/10/daily26.html

[ElsewheresDaughter]

1. This is wonderful news!....Thank the gods for unions!!...somebody caares about the people!

[activa8tr]

2. I feel for the state workers, but isn't the state about broke anyway?

Doesn't this mean more taxes for everyone eventually?

I'm not opposed to taxes to pay workers, workers deserve their pay. But I doubt MOST NY people will want higher taxes.

I know the precarious state of the budget in NY state is partly due to Wall Street and bank woes over the past 2 years.

But can't you tax those rich rich ultra rich a few tens of thousands more each, rather than the little worker bees?

[Cronus Protagonist]

3. "allot"

First time I've seen that word used correctly here on DU.

[n2doc]

4. This is not going to play well

The Union should agree to forgo a pay increase in times like these, in exchange for agreements to use the money saved to reduce layoffs. I know a contract is a contract, but people don't care about such niceties if the choice is giving raises for some and firing others, or less of each.

[eilen]

5. Apparently there is plenty of money in NYS for Paterson to

give big fat raises to all his staff.

[n2doc]

6. And that should be rescinded by the next gov

Paterson will go down as an incompetent buffoon.