State employee union negotiations continue

Published 12:01 am Tuesday, October 2, 2012

By The Associated Press

OLYMPIA — The state is still negotiating with state workers on health benefits and associated costs.

Even though a Monday deadline has passed, talks are still continuing.

If the coalition of unions and the state reach a deal, the Legislature could approve the extension of the agreement date.

If no agreement is reached at all, the provisions of the existing contract continue for the next year.

A tentative agreement has already been reached on a separate economic contract with most of the unions, who have either ratified a plan to restore recent pay cuts or are currently in arbitration.