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Coroner and union supporters warn Champaign County of staffing crisis, urge bargaining with AFSCME Local 900
Summary
Champaign County Coroner Laurie Brower and union supporters told the county board that understaffing and unresolved labor negotiations are straining services and personnel; speakers urged the board and administration to negotiate with AFSCME Local 900 and consider additional funding for positions.
Laurie Brower, Champaign County coroner, told the county board that her office is “very understaffed, and it’s getting critical,” and urged the board to consider additional funding to restore staff hours and relief for deputies on duty.
Brower said the office is operating with reduced paid staff hours and estimated “about 60 hours a week that the county didn’t have to pay for that we staffed,” adding that the current schedule leaves “1 deputy on per shift at a time” and “doesn’t allow for time off” or guaranteed breaks.
The coroner’s remarks came during the public-comment portion of the June meeting and were followed by remarks from Alan Axelrod, a former AFSCME Local 900 employee,…
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