The Associated Press

COLUMBUS - The state and its largest worker's union were far apart as contract talks began this week with the union seeking pay increases totaling 11 percent and the Taft administration proposing no raises at all.

The administration also is seeking the authority to furlough employees for up to 12 weeks without health care and other benefits and to reduce sick and disability pay.

The Ohio Civil Service Employees Association (OCSEA) wants limits on layoffs, a relaxed sick-leave policy and creation of a $10 million "family-scholarship" fund for family members of state workers, according to a summary of the confidential proposals obtained by The Columbus Dispatch.

The union, which represents about 37,000 of the state's 59,446 employees, is seeking wage increases of 3.5 percent, 3.5 percent and 4 percent over three years.

The union's pay proposal represents about the same increases as state workers received in the current contract, which expires Feb. 28.

State negotiators took a hard-line position on wages, proposing no general pay increase or hikes for longevity and shift differential.

Contract talks with OCSEA are pivotal because the settlement typically sets the pattern for pacts with other unions to be negotiated next year as well as the nonunionized work force.

Negotiations are expected to be particularly difficult this time because the state faces a possible $4 billion budget shortfall next year, and the union fears members' jobs might be lost.

Spokesmen for the state and union would not comment about proposals Friday. They said both sides agreed to a media blackout during negotiations.