Several unions are taking Governor Paterson to court over his mandatory furlough plan which forces almost a hundred thousand state workers to take an unpaid day off from work each week. This comes as news broke that members of Paterson's staff received pay raises. Our Erin Billups reports.

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ALBANY, N.Y. -- As the governor's legal team prepares to defend his one-day-a-week furlough of state workers, YNN has learned that several members of Paterson's staff received pay raises.

Five staffers in the executive chamber, four of whom work in the governor's press office, received title changes and pay hikes between $5,000 and $10,000.

The governor's Communications Director, Morgan Hook, says those who received a pay bump are now handling the duties of two or more vacated posts. He says the press office's budget is at least $250,000 less than it was two months ago. But still, this is not what the 100,000 furloughed state workers want to hear. So on top of suing Paterson, state employee unions are now seeking a federal restraining order to prevent the furlough law from going into effect.

"He's basically stealing from them at this point and breaking a contract in order to do it and that's the basis of our lawsuit," said CSEA spokesman Stephen Madarasz.

And while lawmakers approved the furloughs, rather than shut down state government, many believe the move won't hold up in court.

"I personally believe the action is not legal. I would think that a judge would say that and that will end that insertion into an emergency bill," said Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.

The governor insists his move is legal.

"The intervening cause of this state being in so much of a recession makes us unable to pay them at a level we normally would or risk insolvency," Paterson said.

But should they lose in court, Paterson's lieutenant says they're prepared to take action.

"If the furlough doesn't work, I'm sure there will be layoffs," said Lieutenant Governor Richard Ravitch.

The governor's office says agencies will be working on their furlough plans over the next few days and then he'll have a clearer picture of the impact of the furlough.

"Certainly a sacrifice," Paterson said. "Diminished services part of a recession."

Unions say a federal judge has been assigned their case and a hearing will be scheduled held this week.