Quinn not surprised by judge's block of layoffs plan

[September 30, 2009]  VIENNA, Ill. (AP) -- Gov. Pat Quinn says he's not surprised a southern Illinois judge is delaying his plan to lay off some 2,600 state workers.

On Monday, Saline County Judge Todd Lambert issued a preliminary injunction sought by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees to block Quinn's proposed job cuts.

The ruling blocks the layoffs until the union's grievances can be worked out by arbitration.

The union sued last month, claiming the layoffs would create serious safety hazards for Illinois prison workers and would be inappropriate until their impact is assessed.

Quinn told reporters in Chicago that the state will appeal Lambert's ruling. He says he had no choice but to pursue the layoffs after AFSCME wasn't open to alternatives such as wage freezes and furloughs.

[Associated Press]

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