Unions sue Schwarzenegger over mandatory days off

Last week, Schwarzenegger issued an executive order to require that all state employees take two unpaid days off each month starting in February. The governor said the measure is needed to conserve cash, with the state budget gap estimated to reach $42 billion a year and a half from now.

The lawsuit, filed in Sacramento Superior Court, asserts that only the Legislature can alter the pay of workers who have labor contracts with the state. It asks the courts to issue a temporary stay to stop Schwarzenegger's efforts.

"We don't think he has the authority," said Bruce Blanning, executive director of Professional Engineers of California Government.

The union, which represents 13,000 engineers, surveyors and others working for the state, filed the lawsuit along with the California Assn. of Professional Scientists.

The governor has "asked for a couple of months to try to convince the Legislature to pass a bill to allow him to furlough employees," Blanning said.

Democrats declined to include such a provision in the budget plan they approved Thursday. Schwarzenegger cited the lack of such authority as one reason he planned to veto the measure.

The governor and Democratic leaders of the Senate and Assembly are scheduled to meet tomorrow in an attempt to resolve their differences. Schwarzenegger has indicated he is willing to approve the increased gas, income and sales taxes the Democrats have proposed, but is also demanding changes to California's environmental and labor rules to give businesses more power over their employees' hours and to allow private contractors to take a larger role in public construction projects.

The governor's office had no immediate response.

jordan.rau@latimes.com