Union files complaint to stop Huntington's reduced work week plan

HUNTINGTON -- The union representing City of Huntington workers has filed a complaint to attempt to stop the city from implementing a reduced and compressed work week policy.

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, Council 77, Local 596 claims the City of Huntington breached a collective bargaining agreement, according to a complaint filed June 25 in Cabell Circuit Court.

On June 7, the defendant announced its plans to implement a reduced and compressed work week policy, which seeks to reduce the number of hours worked weekly be members under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, according to the suit.

The union claims that the CBA states that in all departments, the work day shall consist of eight hours of work and 40 hours per week, which means that the reduced and compressed work week policy places the defendant in breach of the CBA.

The union is seeking a temporary injunction and writ of prohibition prohibiting the City of Huntington from implementing the new policy and prevent it from going into effect in July 3. The union is being represented by R. Matthew Vital and Matthew R. Oliver.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge F. Jane Hustead.

Cabell Circuit Court case number: 10-C-462