CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch today announced that the New Hampshire Department of Justice went to court this afternoon in an attempt to protect the rights of the 131 workers of Precision Technology in Pembroke. In response to the state’s action, a judge has issued a temporary restraining order.

This afternoon Merrimack County Superior Court Judge Bruce Mohl issued a temporary restraining order against the company, preventing the transfer of assets of Precision Technology until a formal hearing is held. A hearing has been scheduled for Sept. 10, at 10:30 a.m.

“It appears this company has violated the law by laying off all of its employees without proper notice,” Gov. Lynch said. “That is why I encouraged the Department of Justice to pursue legal action in an attempt to protect the rights of these workers.”

Precision Technology abruptly closed its doors on Friday. The company did not provide the 60 days notice, or severance pay, to employees as required by the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act.

The Department of Justice this afternoon filed a petition in Merrimack County Superior Court asking to dissolve Precision Technology and freeze its assets so that they may be used to provide employees with the compensation they are due.

“Everyone doing business in the State of New Hampshire is expected to comply with the law. I believe strongly we must act to try and protect the workers,” Attorney General Michael Delaney said.

Today, trucks were observed at Precision Technology ready to move equipment out of the facility. The temporary restraining order prevents the removal of equipment or the transfer of any of the company’s assets. Workers are still owed paychecks for days worked and have so far been unable to return to the building to retrieve personal belongings.

State Labor Commissioner George Copadis arrived at the company Friday morning immediately after it was learned the company had suddenly closed and locked the workers out of the facility.

Members of the state’s Rapid Response team held three sessions on Saturday to assist the workers in applying for unemployment benefits and help determine their needs in re-entering the workforce. The Department of Employment Security is expediting unemployment benefits for the employees of Precision Technology.

The Rapid Response team includes representatives of the state departments of Employment Security, Labor, Resources and Economic Development, Health and Human Services, the New Hampshire Community College System and NHWorks.