STATE PLANS TO FILE APPEAL IN CASE OVER STATE LAYOFFS

State Attorney General Mark Bennett today said the state plans to file an appeal in a case over state worker layoffs.

Governor Linda Lingle had sought to implement a furlough plan calling for a three day per month furlough over two years.  The Hawaii Government Employees Association (HGEA) sought an injunction against the furlough implementation claiming the matter should be subject to collective bargaining.

Earlier this month, Judge Karl Sakamoto granted the HGEA request.

Bennett issued a statement today arguing against Sakamoto’s jurisdiction saying, “Governor Lingle and I continue to believe that Judge Sakamoto erred in his legal analysis, and that the Governor has the right to implement the three-day-per-month furlough plan.”

“The State will shortly file an appeal and will seek expedited consideration of that appeal,” said Bennett.

“Governor Lingle continues to believe that her furlough plan was the best way to address the State’s fiscal crisis, and regrets that the HGEA and other public employer unions took the position in court that they did,” said Bennett.

(Posted by Wendy Osher)