WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-NH state workers reject contract
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Associated Press - October 12, 2009 6:55 PM ET
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - New Hampshire state workers have rejected a contract that included 19 furlough days, meaning hundreds of pink slips will be going out later this week.
The State Employees' Association, which represents most of the state's 11,500 workers, says a count of the ballots Monday found 41 in favor and 59 opposed. The union's leadership had urged members to vote against the deal, saying it provides limited job security protections, contains approximately $50 million in lost wages and affects state employees unequally.
Union president Gary Smith asked Gov. John Lynch to negotiate a fair and reasonable solution.
The 2-year state budget adopted in June directed Lynch to cut $25 million in labor costs funded by state taxes. Lynch has said layoffs would be completed by the end of the month even if both sides return to the table to continue talks.
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