(AP) - New Jersey's largest state worker union and the Corzine administration have struck a tentative deal thatfreezes wages for 18 months and requires 10 furlough days butguarantees no layoffs in the coming year.

The proposed memorandum of agreement obtained by The AssociatedPress on Wednesday would modify the existing contract between theCommunications Workers of America and the state, if members ratifyit.

Facing a severe budget shortfall, Gov. Jon S. Corzine threatenedto lay off as many at 7,000 state workers unless he achievedmillions in concessions from labor.

The tentative deal would achieve $309 million in savings,according to a person familiar with the talks. The person spoke oncondition of anonymity because the person was not authorized tospeak for the administration.