SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- State union workers have won a reprieve against a mandatory day off without pay.

St. Clair County Circuit Court Judge Alexis Otis-Lewis ruled Friday that Gov. George Ryan cannot yet force employees into the furlough, which is expected to save the state $8 million.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees requested the temporary restraining order. The union prefers a voluntary day off and wants the matter decided in binding arbitration.

"I don't think our goal is to tie up the state in saving money," union spokesman Linc Cohen said. "Our goal is to work with the state in ways to save money and the state seems to be more interested in going after the members of this union than in looking for real ways to save money."

Otis-Lewis ruled that the union has a "likelihood of prevailing on the merits" of its case.

The state will appeal the ruling, said Melissa Hahn Moseley, spokeswoman for the Department of Central Management Services.

"Obviously, we are disappointed and we disagree with the ruling and we will appeal immediately," she said.

Ryan spokesman Ray Serati said the governor would review the court decision for its effects on the budget, but "does not want to negotiate this through the media."