AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine’s largest state workers’ union has filed a complaint with the Maine Labor Relations Board accusing the state negotiators of violating the law as the two sides tried to reach an agreement on new contract.

The complaint filed Monday by the Maine State Employees Association says the state abandoned negotiations at a important time, tried to skip the bargaining process by seeking legislation and proposed concessions that were not proposed for other unions.

Adrienne Bennett, a spokeswoman for Gov. Paul LePage, told the Portland Press Herald (http://bit.ly/tP1A9m ) that the complaint follows a pattern that started last week with another aimless accusation about the state hiring subcontractors.

A union representative says talks are continuing between the two sides after they agreed to go to mediation in August.

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Information from: Portland Press Herald, http://stage.pressherald.com

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.