State workers union studying contract

COLUMBUS (AP) — The union representing about 35,000 state employees in Ohio is deciding whether to approve a labor contract that includes significant cutbacks.

A proposed contract between the state and the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association calls for no pay increases over the next three years and mandatory 10-day furloughs in the first two years.

The state Controlling Board did not object Monday to a fact-finding report of negotiations between the state and the union.

Various chapters of the union have until March 30 to say whether they agree. The union will give the results to the state April 1.

Gov. Ted Strickland’s administration approached the union to describe the state’s tight budgetary conditions and to plead for cutbacks.