Alameda County, CA Judge Frank Roesch has ordered back pay and an immediate end to furloughs for approximately 53,000 SEIU Local 1000-represented workers. This is a huge victory for the state workers, who've been fighting against Gov. Schwarzenegger's illegal 14% pay cut (via thrice-monthly furloughs) for close to a year.

"The judge's decision has validated our longtime position that unilaterally imposed furloughs are illegal," said Local 1000 President Yvonne Walker. "If the governor had done what he should have done, and ratified our contract, this could have all been avoided." In mid-February 2009 following nine long months of negotiations, SEIU Local 1000 was finally able to reach a tentative agreement with the state on a new contract with concessions, including a 5 percent pay reduction. Shortly after this negotiation, the Governor instituted the thrice-monthly mandated unpaid days off--which had the affect of cutting 95,000 workers' pay by nearly 15 percent.

State Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg has openly stated his agreement with Local 1000 President Walker on the subject, saying that the governor should return to the bargaining table and negotiate an agreement with the unions.

"The court ruling issues a clear directive to the governor: Sit down and negotiate with state employees to develop a rational labor agreement. State employees can help find budget savings that won't make hard-working people bear all of the sacrifice and deprive Californians of critically important public services."

Judge Roesch's decision affects workers in 68 state departments, including those not represented by Local 1000. The list of agencies ranges from larger departments such as DMV, Caltrans, CalPERS, CalSTRS, Employment Development Department and the Department of Consumer Affairs to smaller departments such as the Department of Toxic Substance Control and California First Five. View the full list of affected agencies here.

Governor Schwarzenegger is expected to appeal this judgment. If he does, Local 1000 will seek to lift the stay immediately and end furloughs during the appeals process. The union will also continue to fight to end furloughs for the state employees that work in General Fund agencies not covered by the judge's decision, and currently has five other lawsuits through the courts and at PERB challenging the Governor's state employee furloughs.

For frequent updates, follow @SEIU1000 on Twitter.