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Posted: Saturday, August 15th, 2009 6:29 AM HST

Hawaii union files labor complaint over Gov. Lingle's plan to lay off state workers

By 67AM KPUA News

HONOLULU (AP) — The Hawaii Government Employees Association is alleging that Gov. Linda Lingle's plan to lay off hundreds of state workers violates state law. It filed the complaint with the state Labor Relations Board earlier this week. The union charges it has not been adequately consulted on the layoffs. It claims that violates provisions of its expired contract and Hawaii law. Meanwhile, a legislative committee released a list of nearly 1,200 state jobs that Lingle wants to eliminate to help close the state's budget shortfall. It obtained the list from the state Department of Human Resources Development. The Department of Human Services is to lose 357 positions. The health department is to lose 305; accounting and general services, 129; and agriculture, 118. (Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved)