Unions due

Gov. Chris Gregoire once told a crowded room of newspaper publishers and editors she could not avert giving state employees raises and bonuses because of labor contracts.

This was at a time when companies throughout the state laid off employees, reduced wages and hours, and did what it took to make sure revenue matched the costs of doing business just to keep their doors open. This included renegotiating with labor unions.

But not the state.

She said the unions had no interest in reviewing their contracts. They wished to remain true to a labor agreements negotiated before the recession hit.

In the wake of the Wisconsin battle over unions, perhaps it is time to look at how government employment unions work in Washington state.

When the private sector was hurting economically, the government employee unions continued to demand more money, more benefits, and keep all of their perks.

Olympia continues to tell us we face another deficit year, yet it hasn't stopped the governor from ending annual raises for state workers.

Senate Bill 5870 would be both olive branch and cudgel.

"The Legislature, by this act, hereby rejects the governor's request for funds necessary to implement the compensation and fringe benefit provisions of all collective bargaining agreements ... The parties to the collective bargaining agreements are encouraged to reconvene to reach an agreement that takes into account the legislature's concerns and better recognizes the state's fiscal situation."

We hope it won't end in a war between government employee unions, the government and the public.

The nine senators, including Bob Morton, R-Orient, and Linda Evans Parlette, R-Wenatchee, are asking to renegotiate the contracts to help the state stabilize the budget.

But it's ominous that they feel the need to threaten to cut funding. Do we need to? They are only asking unions to come back to the negotiating table to help return Washington state to a better financial health.

- Editorial board