LIHU‘E — Earlier this week, the word “furlough” was a bad word, another “F” word, but not the four-letter variety. After one judge’s decision Thursday, a tidal wave of relief flowed over many state employees, who learned Gov. Linda Lingle’s
LIHU‘E — Earlier this week, the word “furlough” was a bad word, another “F” word, but not the four-letter variety.
After one judge’s decision Thursday, a tidal wave of relief flowed over many state employees, who learned Gov. Linda Lingle’s plan to force them to take three days of unpaid leave a month is unconstitutional because it was done without bargaining between Lingle and the unions.
And then apprehension about the furlough plan taking effect was replaced by apprehension about what will happen next.
“Personally, I’m relieved,” said Lt. Gary Saiki, with the state Department of Public Safety Sheriff Division at the Lihu‘e state courthouse.
“Three days is a big chunk of money,” said Saiki, who had formulated a plan of floating furloughs so that sheriffs could provide adequate security at the courthouse.
Under most of Lingle’s furlough calendars for state employees, workers would be off three Fridays a month.
Saiki’s furlough plan was to go into effect Monday, July 13, and have four sheriffs take off Monday, five others take off Friday, and Saiki taking a slow day in the middle of the week during furlough weeks.
Before the judge’s ruling, Saiki said he didn’t know whether or not Lingle would allow the floating furloughs, as her calendar for DPS employees was to have them off on three Fridays each month.
“It worked out,” Saiki said of the judge’s ruling Thursday.
John Tonaki, state public defender, also expressed optimism.
“Now we work five days a week, and see where it goes from there,” he said.
The state public defender’s office is attached to the state Department of Budget and Finance, which had a similar Friday-off furlough calendar released by Lingle last month.
At the Lihu‘e courthouse, state sheriffs provide security in courtrooms and for state Judiciary personnel and others using the facility, escort prisoners to and from Kaua‘i Community Correctional Center, and perform other functions as necessary.
Public defenders are attorneys who handle an estimated 80 percent of all criminal-case defenses of people accused of crimes on Kaua‘i.
Tonaki, who said in a telephone interview Thursday afternoon that he is not a labor-law expert, also said some of his fellow state employees felt the unions had a strong anti-furlough case.
First Circuit Judge Karl K. Sakamoto agreed, issuing a preliminary injunction Thursday.
Lingle warned before Thursday’s court date that if her furlough plan isn’t implemented, she will have no choice but to lay off state employees to balance the state’s budget.
Asked if the worker victory against Lingle’s furlough plan might also signal a sympathetic court in an anti-layoff action, Tonaki said one of the unions involved in Thursday’s action filed an addendum in court challenging possible Lingle layoffs.
“Obviously, layoffs are worse than furloughs,” Tonaki said.
