AFSCME Ratifies New Contract SPRINGFIELD, IL (wsiu) - Members of Illinois' largest state employees union have approved a four-year contract that increases their pay 15-and-a-quarter percent.

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

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. © Copyright 2009, wsiu