Politics | Arnold Schwarzenegger California Workers Sue Governator Unions challenge furloughs as state runs out of cash By Kevin Spak Posted Dec 23, 2008 9:54 AM CST Copied Standing near a large deficit counter, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger calls on lawmakers to reach a solution to the growing state budget problem at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., Dec. 10, 2008. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) Unions representing California state employees are suing Arnold Schwarzenegger over his attempt to force them to take unpaid time off, the Los Angeles Times reports. Schwarzenegger issued an executive order last week ordering all employees to take two unpaid days off each month, in an effort to corral the state budget. But the unions say Schwarzenegger needs the Legislature’s approval for such a move. The Democratic-led Legislature rebuffed Schwarzenegger’s requests for that approval. The governor will meet with Democratic leaders today to discuss budget issues, which have reached crisis point—the state controller says California will run out of cash by February. “Without action by the Legislature and the governor, we literally are weeks away from a meltdown of state government,” he said. Read These Next Within half hour, Navy fighter jet and copter both go into the sea. The strangely, lonely final days of Gene Hackman. Posts raise fears about what raves might do to Colosseum. Study sheds light on what killed half of Napoleon's grand army. Report an error