Tentative contract agreements reached with state unions

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu says tentative contract agreements have been reached with the four state employee unions.

The Republican governor said Wednesday the agreements will provide cost-of-living increases to employees and make changes to sick and bonus leave policies that would reduce administrative costs.

Employees represented by the State Employees Association, the New England Police Benevolent Association and the New Hampshire Troopers Association will receive a 1.5 percent raise effective the first pay period and another 1.5 percent raise in January 2019.

State corrections officers will receive a 9.1 percent raise effective July 1. The larger increase reflects a market adjustment to better align their pay with other states’.

The agreements still must be ratified by each union and the Legislature. Union representatives say they are pleased with them.