County worker strike called off
County workers intended to strike March 15, but officials said Wednesday the strike was called off due to an agreement reached by both parties.
Employees had announced their intent to strike after negotiations for wage increases extended for months. The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 668 notified Butler County Commissioners of their intention on March 4 in an effort to receive a fair contract.
The strike would have affected offices like Children and Youth Services and the Area Agency on Aging.
“It was called off because the parties reached a settlement,” Chris Gabriel, the county’s chief negotiator, wrote Wednesday. “The County would have no further comment at this time except that it appreciates the efforts of the employees and their representatives to reach the settlement.”
Negotiations with the union representatives began nearly nine months ago, according to Gabriel, in preparation for the expiration of the 2022 contract on Dec. 31. Those negotiations included percentage wage increases for workers.
