MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - Memphis city workers, who belong to a union, tried to get the 4.6 percent pay cut the city approved in the summer of 2011 temporarily stopped. However, a federal judge didn't make a decision.
Lawyers and union representatives were in federal court for more than six hours Wednesday, November 9, 2011. The union lawyers represent 13 city unions and about 5,000 employees who sued the city to stop the 4.6 percent pay cut.
In court, the lawyers went over the case with the judge. The unions claim their 1st and 14th amendment rights were violated by the city. The unions said the city didn't give them the right to petition and their property rights (wages in this case) are being deprived. The city said union workers had plenty of chances to speak at city council meetings.
The judge in the case is taking the preliminary injunction request under advisement. Union lawyers tell abc24.com they expect to know the results by December 2011. They will then seek a permanent injunction on the pay decrease.
The unions include sanitation workers, police, firefighters, electricians, dispatchers, machinists and building tradesmen.
