By KRWG News
Santa Fe – An effort by a state agency to change the way arbitration is handled when state workers are fired or disciplined has been rejected by a judge.
District Judge Barbara Vigil ruled on Friday against a Regulation and Licensing Department effort to have an appeal of a compliance officer's firing heard under state personnel board rules.
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees argued that its agreement calls for binding arbitration, which gives fired workers more rights.
Vigil decided that the district court doesn't have jurisdiction in this case. She said that is the state disagrees with an arbitrator's decision, it can appeal.
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Information from: The Santa Fe New Mexican, http://www.sfnewmexican.com
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.