State contract negotiations in final phase

OLYMPIA — State workers and the Gregoire administration are entering the final phase of contract talks. They've agreed on health benefits but still are far apart on salaries and other issues.

Union and state negotiators were set to return to the bargaining tables on Tuesday, hoping for a breakthrough by week's end. The goal is to submit contract proposals to members for a ratification vote in September, subject to financing by the Legislature next winter.

Both sides said they remain optimistic.

"We expect to work long hours, but we're not interested in leaving the table without an agreement to take to our members," said Tim Welch, spokesman for the Washington Federation of State Employees, the largest bargaining unit.

Eva Santos, the state's lead negotiator and director of the Department of Personnel, noted that both sides have agreed to health-care plans for the next two years and seem to be working in good faith.

"I'm very optimistic we'll get this thing done," she said Monday.