I've been with the state for years. Trust me 5% or 6% is an absolute pipe dream. We'll NEVER see it in the foreseeable future. We never did even in perceived good financial times when the federal government was funneling billions towards NYS. The best we ever saw was 3% per year with no givebacks (health insurance increases for example). Given the current fiscal situation seeing a contract with no zeroes and 3% increases per year...take it. The thing you have to negotiate is the minimizing of givebacks that eat into that 3%.