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AFSCME representatives tell DeWitt County board "very little movement" in highway negotiations
Summary
AFSCME regional director Dave Beck told the DeWitt County Board there has been "very little movement in negotiations," arguing highway employees are undervalued; foreman Tim Stanley asked to submit monthly reports and a maintenance worker urged board review of CDL and pesticide-license job duties.
Mr. Dave Beck, AFSCME regional director, told the DeWitt County Board on Feb. 20 that there has been "very little movement in negotiations," and said the problem is a "lack of respect and value of the highway employees which is reflected in the wages." The comments came during the board's regular meeting at the DeWitt County Building.
Tim Stanley, the highway foreman, told the board he sees a communication problem between staff and the board and said he would like to "submit a monthly report indicating what the workers had done the previous month." Highway maintenance worker Rob Wickenhauser challenged members to review the job description the union provided and to "understand what it takes to have a CDL license, pesticide license and operate heavy equipment." Board member Walters recused himself at 6:02 p.m. because he is an AFSCME member and returned to the meeting at 6:11 p.m.
The union representatives asked the board to authorize negotiation authority to demonstrate the county's valuation of highway staff. No formal board action altering negotiations was recorded at the meeting; the union stated it does not believe the parties are at an impasse and asked the board to intervene to show support for employees. The board did not set a follow-up action on the record at that time.
