It has been said before, but we'll say it again: State workers need a reality check.

The longer they resist bringing their benefits more in line with the private sector, the larger the gap between public employees and most everyone else.

The move is a bit belated, but Gov. Chris Gregoire is trying to force the state's union workers to do just that, by increasing employees' share of the premiums for health insurance and taking the possibility of pay increases off the table.

Everyone knows our state is broke, and now is a better time than later to invite our state union workers to join the party by sharing the sacrifices most of the rest of us are making in these tough economic times.

The Washington Federation of State Employees didn't like the governor's offer one bit, predictably. They say increasing the amount workers pay for health care to 26 percent would be the equivalent of a $2,316 pay cut each year. The spokesman for that group has said workers have sacrificed enough through pay freezes, furloughs and cuts in health benefits.

The state is still willing to pay $850 per month per worker for health and insurance benefits. For 110,000 state employees, that equates to about $1 billion per year courtesy of the state of Washington.

We don't know if you've examined your pay stub lately, but chances are the state contribution will seem awfully generous in comparison.

Workers who get health coverage contribute 30 percent of the total premium for family coverage, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation latest survey.

The race is on to come to some kind of agreement, with the deadline of Oct. 1 fast-approaching to be included in the governor's 2011-13 budget proposal.

The changes in the ratio of health care costs would put state workers in line with the private sector.

Of course, the labor team is quick to point out that corporate giants like Microsoft and Boeing cover their employees' insurance costs. But last time we checked, those companies weren't facing $3 billion shortfalls like the state of Washington.

It's also worth noting that 30 percent of American firms don't offer any health insurance.

You've got to play with the hand you're dealt, and state workers are employed by an entity that doesn't have the money to give, even if it wanted to.

Our friends down at The Columbian newspaper in Vancouver are fans of Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels. When he took office, he quickly dispatched an executive order ending any state negotiations with labor unions.

In other words, the state makes the decisions on pay and benefits for its employees, just like private business owners can do, without any input required from the workers. Makes sense.

Our governor hasn't taken nearly so tough a stance. But we like the direction she is headed.

If the unions don't accept a larger percentage of the financial responsibility for health care benefits for the workers now, their members may face even worse alternatives.

No one wants to pay more or get less, but it beats the unemployment line.

Reality sometimes bites. We know many state workers have taken unpaid furloughs and other financial hits. Unfortunately more is required.

Changing benefit packages to better match what's happening in most of the private sector ought to be the next step.