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This could be awkward

• Published August 12, 2008

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Members of largest union of general government workers lashed themselves more firmly to Gov. Chris Gregoire on the Capitol steps today, chanting, "Dino Rossi has got to go!"

Which was a side note to their main theme, that they want Gregoire to give them raises in a contract they are negotiating even now. A display of both the union's interests, and its power to support allies.

Which is why Republican Rossi has taken aim at the state worker contract process, saying Gregiore is unduly interested in conceding to state workers in order to win their political support.

I asked quite a few union members – there were more than 500 on hand just now – about this set up, and they all had the same basic response. They don’t expect to win any major concessions from Gregoire, but they have a right to back her. The Democrat is more sympathetic to their issues than Rossi, they said.

"Last election I voted for Dino Rossi. This election, I think Gov. Gregoire has done a fine job," said Tim Rolfe, a case reserve specialist at the Department of Labor and Industries.

Of course, should Rossi win, negotiations with him in 2010 will be awkward. Then again, it seems a bit complicated now.