Tentative agreement reached in state worker negotiations

Associated Press

OLYMPIA — A tentative deal between state officials and union leaders would give about 30,000 state workers pay raises of about 6 percent.

The proposed pay raises would be spread over two years, the News Tribune of Tacoma reported Tuesday.

Tim Welch, a spokesman for the Washington Federation of State Employees, said that the proposed labor contract would also establish a $12 minimum wage for general government workers, who make up about half of Washington’s 60,000 unionized state employees. Union members still must ratify the contract by Oct. 1.

The Office of Financial Management estimated the general government contract will cost the state about $170 million over two years. The office will determine whether the contract is financially feasible and should be included in the governor’s budget proposal. Then the Legislature must choose next year whether to approve the contract.