Fired Workers Given Grievance Hearing

Matthew Bergmann

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Nearly a dozen former Johnson County employees that were terminated by District Attorney Phil Kline have agreed to present their cases to the county at a grievance hearing next week. This comes after weeks of turmoil surrounding the employees dismissal, which occurred immediately after Kline was sworn into office on January 8, 2007. On Jan. 16, the ex-employees filed a lawsuit against Kline in federal court.

In a statement released by the county, the fired workers will recieve no monetary compensation and the county will not be required to provide them with any additional compensation. The hearings are being held in an attempt ot eliminate any liablity that the county may have from the ordeal and allow the former employees to address the negative stigma of being fired.

Kline's office has yet to make a statement on the hearings, but they will take place whether or not he is present. Also, the hearings do not stop the former employees from continuing their lawsuits against Kline and the State of Kansas.