Budget crisis stalls contract negotiations

Updated 5:00 p.m. - August 11, 2008
State negotiators returned to the master table with Local 1000 on Monday and the results were much the same—no agreements were reached.  The only progress was over whether or not certain issues will be negotiated at the master table or at separate bargaining unit tables.

“It’s pretty clear that the state isn’t prepared to make any real movement toward a settlement as long as the state budget crisis continues,” said Margarita Maldonado, bargaining unit 1 chair.

Master table negotiations are scheduled to resume on Friday.  On Tuesday, negotiators for bargaining unit 1 and 21 met with the state.  Negotiations for bargaining units 1, 4, 14, 15, 17 and 20 are scheduled for Thursday.

Additional bargaining sessions have been scheduled through the end of the month.