(KLZA)-- Following the exchange of counter proposals in an effort to get a new contract between Richardson County and the county's Road Department, represented by the NAPE/AFSCME Local 61 Union, both sides have rejected the latest offers.

 

County Commissioners had made a new offer to the Union which was rejected and a counter offer from the Union was rejected during Wednesday's board meeting by Commissioners.

 

While the County Board has sought several changes to the contract that ended June 30, 2023, the Union wanted no changes to the contract language. The County has proposed a wage increase for each employee effective on July 1 of 2023, 2024 and 2025 and a 2% increase in pay on July 1, 2026 and another 2% increase on July 1, 2027.

 

The Union seeks a $2 an hour salary increase effective as of, July 1, 2023, July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025. In addition, wage increases are proposed for July 1, 2026, July 1, 2027 and July 1, 2028.

 

Without a settlement, the case is scheduled to go back before the Court of Industrial Relations on March 16 and 17.