PSC wins injunction against Governor Paterson’s furloughs

The Professional Staff Congress, AFT Local 2334, represents professors, instructors, adjuncts, lab techs, HEOs and a host of other professional titles at the City University of New York’s many campuses. Barbara Bowen is president.

This last week the PSC has been fighting against furloughs – a forced pay cut – proposed by Governor Paterson. This is the PSC’s 1st, 2nd, 3rd, make that fourth update for members. The communication both keeps members informed, and makes it easier to rally them as necessary.

Update:  Read the injunction the PSC and the other unions won, here.

Dear Members,

We won! The PSC’s application for a temporary restraining order against the furlough legislation, Bowen et al v. Paterson et al, was granted. There will be no furloughs and no reduction in our salaries next week.

In response to the motions brought by four public-employee unions, including the PSC, Judge Kahn of the Federal District Court for the Northern District of New York has issued a temporary restraining order against Governor Paterson, prohibiting the implementation of the furloughs. There can be no imposition of furloughs and no reduction until at least May 26, when the judge will hold a hearing. Governor Paterson may seek to appeal the order, but we have had no indication of that yet.

After the hearing on May 26 the judge will determine whether to grant the unions’ requests for a preliminary injunction preventing Governor Paterson from implementing additional furloughs and from submitting any future extender appropriations bills including mandatory furloughs. The judge’s order is available on the PSC website.

This is a victory for all of us, made possible because our collective strength as a union allowed us to file the lawsuit. I want to thank the PSC members who joined the lawsuit as plaintiffs, every PSC member who wrote with your support and ideas, and every member of the PSC staff who participated in this effort. I am especially grateful to our legal staff and to the legal staff at NYSUT, who led the litigation. Congratulations to all PSC members, and to the membership of the three other unions, UUP, PEF and CSEA, who also achieved a victory today against the scapegoating of public employees and the undermining of the people we serve.

In solidarity,
Barbara Bowen
President

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