A federal judge has denied a temporary restraining order in Muhammad v. Ivey that could have led to laid-off Central Alabama Water employees being reinstated — meaning those workers will not get their jobs back at this time.
The decision came during a status hearing Friday tied to legal challenges over the law that reshaped the former Birmingham Water Works Board into Central Alabama Water.
During the hearing, attorneys pointed to the layoffs of about 135 employees announced last month, arguing the loss of experienced workers is already harming the system. Several laid-off employees and supporters were in attendance…