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No deals yet in union talks

• Published August 21, 2008

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The wheels are definitely still on the bargaining cart, says Washington Federation of State Employees Executive Director Greg Devereux.

"I anticipate we’ll either be back at the table next week or the week after that. My goal is to finish it up then," he said.

All unions negotiating with the governor for pay and benefits face an Oct. 1 deadline to approve two-year contracts. The federation held a major rally on the subject last week.

"As long as its finished by early September, I think we have plenty of time to ratify the contract," said Devereux. "They’re trying to figure out how to deal with the (budget) shortfall… and we’re trying to deal with our members concerns with the gas pump, things like that."

The federation isn't always the first to reach a deal with the state, but it often sets the tone of other talks.