State Furlough Suit Dropped

A union-backed lawsuit challenging state worker furloughs in Kentucky has been withdrawn. Kentucky Public Radio's Union officials have decided to move the discussion from the courtroom to an employee advisory panel.A half dozen state workers, all members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union, filed suit in early August. Their aim was to block six furlough days in the current fiscal year ordered by Gov. Steve Beshear. Beshear says the furloughs will save the state $24 million, and are part of a $131 million budget reduction ordered by Kentucky lawmakers. The first furlough day was September 3rd, the Friday before Labor Day. State workers took a second furlough day this month, and a third is coming up in November. The legal case was pending before Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd, who had already held a couple of hearings in the lawsuit. Union officials say they will continue to work through the Governor’s Employee Advisory Council to address furloughs and other workplace issues of importance to state employees.