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The annual moon buggy race at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, home of Space Camp, in Huntsville, Ala. (Eric Schultz / eschultz@al.com)

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Three employees of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center filed suit last week, arguing the center has for decades made them work state holidays, such as Confederate Memorial Day.

"Alabama is for a variety of reasons unique," reads the suit filed last week in U.S. District Court. "For instance, the holidays the state grants its employees and both numerous and eclectic."

The suit asserts that the center employs 120 individuals, is run by a state board and has for decades disregarded the state's long list of paid holidays.

Those include Robert E. Lee's birthday, Confederate Memorial Day, Jefferson Davis' birthday, George Washington's birthday, Thomas Jefferson's birthday and American Indian Heritage Day. (See below for full list and dates.)

The Alabama Legislature established the Huntsville museum in 1965, and the center is run by an 18-member commission appointed by the governor. The state commission operates the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, which includes Space Camp.

The suit notes that the center first opened in 1970 as the Alabama Space & Rocket Center. "A few years later, the name was changed to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center."

The attorneys cite an audit released in January by the Alabama Examiners of Public Accounts that stated: "The Commission provides 6 fewer holidays to its employees than are mandated by state law."

The suit also alleges, as is reported in the state audit, that the Space & Rocket Center did not provide full "longevity" bonuses each December as state law requires for state employees.

Eric Artrip, one of the attorneys representing the employees, said this morning that the longevity claims do not add up to much. "Certainly not hundreds of thousands of dollars."

But he said compensation for state holidays denied for decades to hundreds of past and current employees could be "a significant amount of money."

"We've been sitting on this for some time thinking that the Center would do the right thing," said Artrip. The suit now contends that given the audit findings in January and the lack of subsequent action, the center has been acting in "bad faith."

The Legislature over the years tacked on several state holidays when Alabama couldn't afford pay raises for state employees, reads the suit. But the center grants only New Year's Day, the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Artrip said they are seeking class action status for previous full-time employees, seasonal or part-time employees and current employees.

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center does not comment on pending litigation, said Center spokesperson Pat Ammons this afternoon.

Three employees have joined suit, which is dated July 23 and was filed in the Middle District of Alabama. Janice Ingalls is a retired administrative assistant. Kamara Davis was a previous part-time Space Camp counselor and later an account executive. Milton Parker is a current custodial manager.

All three say in the suit they didn't know about the holidays or the longevity pay issues until they read the state audit.

The suit cites the state audit, which recommends in part: "The commission should award to its employees the holidays provided by the Code of Alabama 1975, Section 1-3-8(a)."

The audit also says the Center had miscalculated longevity payments and should recalculate and pay employees "the total amount of all underpayments."

The suit argues the Center has done nothing in response to the audit.

Alabama longevity pay

By state law, each individual employed by the State of Alabama is to receive $300 every December after five years of service. That goes up to $400 after 10 years, $500 after 15 years, $600 after 20 years, and $700 after 25 years.

The state in 2006 also raised the amount $100 for every year employees don't get a cost of living adjustment. The annual bonuses are capped at $1,000 per individual.

Alabama Code on state holidays

(a) Sunday, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday, Robert E. Lee's birthday, George Washington's birthday, Thomas Jefferson's birthday, Confederate Memorial Day, National Memorial Day, Jefferson Davis' birthday, the Fourth day of July, Labor Day, Columbus Day and Fraternal Day, Veterans' Day, American Indian Heritage Day, and the day designated by the Governor for public thanksgiving shall each be deemed a holiday. If any holiday falls on Sunday, the following day is the holiday. If any holiday falls on Saturday, the preceding day is the holiday....

(b) Of the above enumerated legal public holidays, the following shall be observed on the dates herein prescribed:

(1) Robert E. Lee's birthday - the third Monday in January.

(2) George Washington's birthday - the third Monday in February.

(3) Confederate Memorial Day - the fourth Monday in April.

(4) Jefferson Davis' birthday - the first Monday in June.

(5) Columbus Day and Fraternal Day - the second Monday in October.

(6) Veterans' Day - the eleventh day of November.

(7) Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday - the third Monday in January.

(8) National Memorial Day - the last Monday in May.

(9) Thomas Jefferson's birthday - the third Monday in February.

(10) American Indian Heritage Day - the second Monday in October.

(c) In addition to the legal holidays provided above, Mardi Gras shall be deemed a holiday in Mobile and Baldwin Counties and all state offices shall be closed in those counties on Mardi Gras.

(d) In addition to the legal holidays provided above all state employees, except those employed in Baldwin and Mobile Counties, shall be granted one personal leave day per year .... All state employees employed in Baldwin and Mobile Counties shall be granted no personal leave day.