State Renegotiates Another Contract to Cut Costs

A fourth state employees´ union is agreeing to contract revisions to help minimize layoffs brought on by the state´s massive budget deficit. The tentative 3-year agreement with the Union of American Physicians and Dentists would save the state about $8 million this year, but push some expenses into future years.

This follows agreements with three other unions that together will delay $45 million in spending.

If the state´s remaining 17 unions agree to similar contract revisions, it will save the state a total of $470 million this year toward the billion dollars the state must save through layoffs or salary reductions.