OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — A state employees’ union is suing to block furloughs that begin next month.
The Washington Federation of State Employees filed the lawsuit Friday in Thurston County Superior Court. The motion asks for a temporary injunction of the furloughs scheduled to begin July 12.
Under a new law, some state employees will take 10 unpaid days off work over the next year. Agencies had the option of coming up with their own plans to save the same amount of money. More than 20 state agencies chose to impose the full 10 furlough days, the union says.
Only 25 percent to 30 percent of state employees are affected by furloughs, after accounting for a long list of exemptions.
This week, the union filed a grievance and unfair labor practice complaint with the state.
