Judge considers union suit against SC governor

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Attorneys have argued in federal court in Charleston over anti-union statements by Gov. Nikki Haley and the head of the state labor department.

A lawsuit filed this year asks the court to tell Haley and Catherine Templeton to remain neutral in union matters.

A union attorney argued Monday the statements could make workers think twice about trying to form a union or talk to union representatives. But a state attorney says the statements are protected by free speech guarantees and there have been no actions preventing workers from trying to organize.

Haley has said Templeton's union-fighting background would help the state's fight against unions, particularly at the new Boeing plant in North Charleston.

U.S. District Judge C. Weston Houck promised to rule next week on whether to dismiss the case.