New Suit Challenges State Worker Furloughs

A new lawsuit has been filed challenging the furlough of state workers in Kentucky. Last month, several members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union, who sued to halt six state furlough days, suddenly withdrew their suit. Union officials said the workers had decided to take their complaints to the Governor’s Employee Advisory Council, instead of the courts. But now, a similar lawsuit challenging the furloughs has been filed by 37 teachers who are members of the Kentucky Education Association.  Most work at the Kentucky School for the Blind and the Kentucky School for the Deaf.The lawsuit claims the furloughs, approved by the 2010 General Assembly and implemented by Gov. Steve Beshear, are unconstitutional and being unlawfully imposed.  The state disagrees and seeks dismissal of the lawsuit, filed in Franklin Circuit Court. To date, state workers have taken three of the six furlough days, which are designed to save the state $24 million this fiscal year.