FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18)– Attorney General Andy Beshear called on Governor Matt Bevin to rescind the subpoenas sent to multiple school boards regarding teacher absences.
So far, Jefferson, Bullitt, Oldham, Madison and Fayette counties have all been subpoenaed by the Kentucky Labor Cabinet regarding absences during protests at the state Capitol under the premise that teachers do not have to right to organize a strike.
The Attorney General called the subpoenas bullying and told the media that the Labor Cabinet has ten days to take action.
Attorney General says if the Governor and the Labor Cabinet don’t rescind the subpoenas within 10 days, he’ll take them to court. @LEX18News pic.twitter.com/61i12aztWP
— Karolina Buczek (@Karolina_Buczek) April 16, 2019
Beshear writes in his letter, sent Tuesday, that the “sickouts” do not violate labor law, that any attempt to fine a member of a “sickout” would violate their First Amendment rights. Beshear adds that the Bevin administration’s actions may constitute “intimidation, threats or coercion” in violation of state law.
“The governor and his administration are directly threatening teachers in an attempt to keep them from exercising their constitutional rights,” said Beshear. “These ‘sickout’ subpoenas represent another abuse of power by the governor and they must be rescinded.”
This is the letter the Attorney General sent Gov. Bevin and the Labor Cabinet.
In it, he says “any attempt to punish teachers that engage in a ‘sick-out’ would violate their First Amendement rights.”@LEX18News pic.twitter.com/c8yAtv0Qyt
— Karolina Buczek (@Karolina_Buczek) April 16, 2019
