SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CBS) — A federal appeals court is backing Gov. Pat Quinn’s move to deny pay raises to thousands of union workers.

As WBBM Newsradio’s David Roe reports, a lower federal court had dismissed an effort by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees to force the state to pay the raises to state employees.

On Thursday, the Seventh U.S. Court of Appeals upheld that ruling.

The appeals court cited the 11th Amendment, which it says prevents the union from collecting the raises because such a ruling in favor of AFSCME would force the state to spend money.

Quinn last year canceled raises for thousands of state workers, saying lawmakers didn’t give him enough money in the budget to pay the raises. The move reportedly saved the state millions of dollars.

In a written statement, AFSCME said it will continue to fight for the pay raises.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio’s David Roe reports

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