3 state employee unions challenge Hawaii governor’s furlough plan in court

3 HI state employee unions challenge furloughs

HONOLULU — Three state employee unions are asking a state judge to block Gov. Linda Lingle from ordering thousands of their members to take three unpaid days off each month.

First Circuit Court Judge Karl K. Sakamoto will decide whether to stop the furloughs.

The unions are the Hawaii Government Employees Association, United Public Workers and the Hawaii State Teachers Association. They contend Lingle cannot unilaterally order furloughs under the state constitution.

The office of Attorney General Mark Bennett is defending Lingle’s furlough plan.

Bennett asserts that both the constitution and state law authorizes the governor to implement furloughs.