Workers at Sonoma County Superior Court who were prohibited from wearing union paraphernalia at work filed an unfair labor practices complaint against their administrators, saying the order violated their rights. The employees were wearing pins and certain colors to show their support for the Service Employees International Union, which represents 150 court workers in contract negotiations. Their current contract expires Sept. 24.

Last week, top administrators ordered them to stop wearing union symbols in public to avoid an appearance of bias.

"While we understand the right to participate in negotiations and union activities, we also require conduct that does not compromise the appearance of neutrality and impartiality to the public and other court users," Court Administrator Denise Gordon said.

On Tuesday, union representatives sent a complaint to the state Public Employment Relations Board, which will evaluate it, said SEIU field representative Kris Organ.