State Unions Split on Contract - Does it Matter?

Members of the Washington Federation of State Employees voted to approve their new contract with the state. The Olympian's Adam Wilson notes:

The contract covers 33,000 workers in state government, and set the tone for other union deals: 2 percent raises and an extra day off in each of the two fiscal years it covers.

The News Tribune's Joe Turner probably has it right.

I wonder if the prospect of a $3.2 billion budget deficit for 2009-11 had any bearing on the rapid ratification of the contract. Workers may figure this is no time to dicker.

The Teamsters apparently are in a dickering mood.

Adam Wilson reports that at least one key legislator is willing to consider voting no on the deal.

Rep. Hans Dunshee, the Democrat who is likely to take over as budget chairman, described the contracts exactly like this: "I think we can?t eliminate any option at this point. Those are well negotiated and such, but we don?t even know what the situation is in February. So at this point I?d say any option should be talked about."

Washington CEO thinks the tide is about to turn in Olympia and Thurston County.

What do you think?