Statutory Language Prepared Regarding Statewide Court Closures

Posted in: Electronic Recording, Furloughs

Negotiations continue on the issue of mandatory statewide court closures. After several meetings on this subject regarding the impact on court employees and the public, the Administrative Office of the Court has presented to the employee groups potential language intended to be used as a starting point and the first step toward authorizing the closures. Authority to allow such closures would require an immediate statutory change.

Ultimately language will be included in the same budget trailer bill which would allow the courts to close to the public one day per month over the next year beginning July 1, 2009. The court closures are projected to result in possible furloughs which the AOC claims could amount to a $100 million savings over the one-year period.

Labor organizations and all stakeholders continue to meet with AOC representatives to assure that all court employees’ rights and benefits are not adversely affected and are focusing on employee compensation, retirement and other benefits.

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