(KLZA)-- Following a nearly one hour executive session Wednesday, the Richardson County Commission voted unanimously to deny a grievance filed by Road Department employees Bryan Dettmann, Wyatt Martin and Ronald Ramer.

The employees sought to have time spent appearing before the Nebraska Commission of Industrial Relations on March 24, deemed civil leave, rather than having vacation or PTO time deducted.

The original request was denied by County Highway Superintendent Steve Darveau Jr.

In making the denial, Commissioners said “appearing before the CIR Court was not a function of their job and shall not be considered as hours worked.”

The commissioners ruling went on to note “the statement of grievance states the employees were subpoenaed to appear before the Nebraska CIR, assuming by their union, which was for non-work related matters, which requires the use of vacation leave or earned compensatory time.”