State workers' union OKs 4-year contract

SPRINGFIELD -- Members of Illinois' largest state employees union have approved a four-year contract that increases their pay 15.25 percent.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which represents more than 37,000 state workers, announced the deal on Friday that replaces a similar four-year pact that expired June 30.

The announcement did not include a breakdown of pay increases for each year. But it said the deal "maintains affordable health insurance" for workers it covers. The union had claimed Governor Rod Blagojevich's administration wanted them to pay more.

A spokeswoman for Blagojevich did not immediately know what the contract will cost.