State employees' union files grievance over health account

Washington’s largest state employee union has filed a labor-contract grievance against the state, asking for a $17.7 million refund from a health-benefits account. The account had a surplus from which the Legislature removed about $118 million to help balance the budget this year.

Gov. Chris Gregoire’s budget director, Marty Brown, did not put much credence in the claim. “Obviously our position is the Legislature has that authority, but we’ll wait for the process,’’ Brown said.