Republican Gov. Chris Sununu says unions representing state employees have walked away from the contract mediation process.
The unions declared an impasse in February after months of negotiating, moving the process to mediation. But Sununu said Thursday that union negotiators have refused to continue and accused them of "irresponsible antics" that are hurting state workers.
A spokesman for the largest union, the State Employees Association, did not return a call seeking comment. Union officials earlier called the contract proposed by the governor "pathetic."
The next step in the process is fact-finding, in which a third-party reviews both sides and makes a recommendation.