The complaint charges that the employees had obtained a permanent classified status in the Louisiana Civil Service system and that they had “bumping rights” as well as other job protections.
The lawsuit says, “This political pressure was, and is, designed to systematically cripple the protections afforded state workers by the Louisiana Civil Service Commission, thus enlarging the political power of elected officials that results from patronage hiring and other politically driven personnel actions.”
The employees are requesting compensatory damages, citing economic and emotional losses, injuries and damages, damages to their reputation, punitive damages, interest, attorney’s fees and court costs.
The have requested a jury trial. U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk will preside over the case.