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A news release announcing a potential work stoppage of county highway department employees can be tossed in the circular file. County Board commissioners will be getting the new tentative contract language at their meeting March 1 and there should be no issues with adopting the terms, according to County Administrator Chase Burnham.

Burnham tells the Press a negotiating session went into the wee hours of Saturday morning February 18 and it appears the proposals have been agreed upon.

Highway Department staff will be poised and prepared for the much-anticipated forecast as people have been advised there’s a major winter storm this week.
 
Teamsters Local 320 had released an “intent to strike” statement February 11, which would have allowed for a strike as of February 21.  According to the union chief negotiator three rounds of talks and two mediation sessions had not resulted in a contract and issues remained unsolved.  Employees were arguing for access to accrued vacation leave and a defined workday.

The full terms of the new contract will be made public when the County Board acts on the agreement next week.

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