CSEA APPROVES FOUR-YEAR CONTRACT AGREEMENT.(CAPITAL REGION)

Byline: JAMES M. ODATO Capitol bureau

State government's biggest employee union approved a new contract providing 11.4 percent in wage increases over four years and setting in motion an expected series of similar pacts to cover almost all state workers.

An exact count was not expected until today, but a Civil Service Employees Association spokesman said early returns were overwhelmingly in favor of the deal.

CSEA President Danny Donohue credited the Pataki administration and the CSEA negotiators for coming up with a fair pact.

``The strength of the ratification vote is a true measure of support,'' he said.

The deal affects about …