PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The largest state employees union has opted to stay "neutral'' in the contest for governor.

Council 94 represents more than 10,000 active and retired state, municipal and private sector employees.

The vote was taken Wednesday night by a key committee within Council 94, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, and it mirrored the decision made earlier in the week by the AFL-CIO.

Organized labor is split down the middle in the race, with Democrat Frank T. Caprio, the current state treasurer, winning the the backing of the Laborers International Union, which represents thousands of state and local workers, the Teamsters and the electrical workers' union, while Chafee has the endorsement of the two big teacher unions and the Service Employees International Union, among others.

A statement issued Wednesday night by J. Michael Downey, President of Council 94, said: "Tonight, our Political Action Steering Committee interviewed Lincoln Chafee, Frank Caprio, and [Moderate Party candidate] Ken Block. Our committee met with all of the candidates who submitted questionnaires and agreed to interviews.

"Council 94's Political Action Steering Committee sincerely appreciates the gubernatorial candidates' interest in Council 94's endorsement. However, the decision to stay out of the race for governor was agreed upon unanimously by the committee."