After discussion in executive session today (Mon), the Iroquois County Board voted 15-0, with four members absent, to deny ratification of a union contract with the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Today's vote came during a special session of the county board. The matter will likely be going back to the Labor Relations Board, according to AFSCME representative David Beck.

Beck said the county employees have been in limbo waiting for a raise since 2010.

An Administrative Law Judge ordered the county vote to make good on the County Board's failure to act on the union contract, which was tentatively agreed on last February ( 2014).

The contract was never presented to the County Board for a formal vote, despite the fact the county's negotiating committee and AFSCME reached agreement. That agreement was thru mediation.

The county had stated its non-vote action was based on 'layoff language' it didn't like, so there was no violation of the Labor Relation Act. But the Administrative Law Judge ruled the County's negotiators had recommended an agreement, so the matter should have been presented to the full Board for vote.

94.1 WGFA