HONOLULU -- Some of the 30,000 members of the Hawaii Government Employees Association on Thursday began ratification voting on a tentative agreement with the state.

Gov. Linda Lingle said she is not sure HGEA members will accept the contract calling for a total of 42 furlough days over two years. It would save the state $204 million.

The governor said the $200 million savings from the HGEA contract is not enough to stop nearly 700 layoffs to start Nov. 13 and a second round of layoffs to be announced soon.

HGEA members are scheduled to vote until the final count Monday night.

The members were handed a single paper to explain the terms of the contract. Some members were angry that union officials did not schedule meetings to answer questions before the vote.

Most were relieved the uncertainty is nearly over.

"Very relieved. I am very pleased, and at least with a furlough you get a day off pay cut you get nothing but with a furlough you get some time and we could all use some time," Kaimuki Library circulation manager Berry Andelin said.

"It is very frustrating to wait and see what kind of resolution is going to come out but hopefully that will come to an end soon,"

Employee furlough days amount to an 8 percent pay reduction for the HGEA, a union that has never before accepted pay cuts.

"I understand from our government employee why it is such a difficult time and a difficult vote for them I am sure," said John Suyemoto, who works for the prosecutor attorney's office.