A judge in California ordered the Governor to stop furloughs for state workers, ruling in favor of three unions. The the unions, which include the Service Employees International Union, filed a suit in February, when the furloughs began. The judge ruled that the budget shortfall did not give the state license to furlough state workers, and that the state had to stop immediately. The order, which effects more than 52,000 workers was applauded by the SEIU, who has already negotiated a contract with a pay reduction. The President of the state Senate also lauded the court's decision, saying that negotiating with the workers was the way to help reduce the budget shortfall. A spokesmen for the Governor's office said that they will appeal the decision.
See "Judge orders Schwarzenegger to halt state worker furloughs", Patrick McGreevy, Los Angeles Times, January 3, 2010