Mass. Turnpike Challenges Pay Raises In Court

The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority has gone to court to challenge arbitrator-awarded pay raises to unionized employees that could cost the debt-ridden agency $3.5 million per year.

The lawsuit filed last month challenges retroactive 3 percent raises for 2007 and 2008, and a 4 percent pay raise for 2009 given to more than 800 workers.

The judgment also says the state should honor the award even if the Turnpike is dissolved as part of Gov. Deval Patrick's transportation overhaul plan.

Colin Durrant, a spokesman for the Executive Office of Transportation, tells the Boston Herald the award violates state law because it restricts the right to reorganize government.

Union president Robert Cullinane says the Turnpike should honor the arbitrator's ruling.