State workers decide to renew contract talks

Jim Fennell writes in the Union Leader that the State Employees Association has decided to come back to the bargaining table.

The two sides appeared to have struck a tentative agreement, but negotiations broke down last week when union officials asked the state to clarify a clause the union believes is unfair to the 500 or so corrections officers that are part of the union.

Smith said the two sides have worked to get back to the table, meeting yesterday morning in the governor's office. He said the meeting allowed him to clearly define the issues in dispute between the two sides when he addressed the bargaining senate last night.