At the August DeWitt County Board Meeting, Highway Department employees and union representatives addressed the board regarding contract negotiations.  

Board Chair Joe Witte explains that no action was taken by the board regarding the negotiations at the meeting. They were unable to because it was not a part of the meeting's agenda. He says negotiations with the Highway Department are ongoing, and their next meeting is set for early September. 

Witte clarifies that the union did serve a notice of intent to strike, which is required for a strike to be considered lawful. This does not mean that the Highway Department will strike; however, it does imply that they could. 

The Board authorized a five percent raise for the highway department last year. Witte says that now they are asking for a raise above and beyond what they had previously been given. While he values all of the County's employees, he adds that they need to make fiscally responsible decisions. 

Serious labor law violations were alleged against the county, including not coming in with the intent to negotiate and threatening Highway Department employees with termination. Witte has publicly denied these allegations; however, the Illinois Labor Relations Board has opened an investigation.

The next opportunity for negotiations to take place is September 5th. The County maintains the position that they are in favor of coming to an agreement.