California judge orders back pay for more than 50,000 state workers furloughed by governor

Calif. judge says state employees owed back pay

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A California judge is ordering back pay for more than 50,000 state workers he ruled were illegally furloughed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Alameda County Superior Court Judge Frank Roesch on Thursday ordered the state to pay all employees who work in nearly 70 departments their full salaries. He also ordered an end to the three-day-a-month furloughs.

The order applies only to workers in departments that are not funded through the state’s general fund.

Schwarzenegger spokesman Aaron McLear said the administration will appeal.

State employee unions and others have filed more than 20 lawsuits challenging the furloughs, which were implemented last year to help California address its budget crisis.