State employees won’t have to take a salary cut, but will have 10 days of leave a year without pay, under a tentative contract agreement worked out by state and union negotiators.

Neither the state nor the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association would confirm that an agreement has been reached or any details of negotiations because they are working under a news blackout.

The rank-and-file membership of the OCSEA,  the largest state employee union representing 35,000 workers, would have to vote to approve the new pact before it could take effect.

The Dispatch learned that a tentative agreement reached today will not require employees to take pay cuts of up to 6 percent as the Strickland administration wanted to help balance the budget.  Instead, employees will be required to take 10 unpaid days. However, it appears the amount of   days lost might  vary by seniority and would be prorated over a two-year period, sources said.

State employees work 2,080 hours annually, meaning the loss of 10 days, or 80 hours of pay,  would be roughly equivalent to a wage cut of just under 4 percent.

The OCSEA wage agreement typically sets the pattern for other union contracts, as well as pay and benefits given to non-union employees.

In addition, “step increases” — raises based on employees moving up in pay grade — will be frozen for two years. The accrual of personal leave and conversion to cash payments also would be frozen.

The agreement reportedly includes a restoration of some cut or frozen benefits in the third year of the contract.