CLINTON, Ill. (WAND) — DeWitt County highway department union members announced Wednesday that they filed their notice of intent to strike. This comes after nine months of negotiations.

The employees, represented by AFSCME Local 1296, said that their wages are the largest sticking point. They said the state average wage is much higher than what they are getting paid, adding that they are paid at a significantly lower rate than other county employees.

In their first meeting for negotiations back in November, maintenance worker Rob Wickenhauser said they were given a "first and final" offer, and told that the county would not negotiate.

"We've been treading along and we've been meeting and we've negotiated on our side, but we are not getting any kind of negotiation from the county." Wickenhauser said.

Following the intent to strike, the union alerted the attorney representing the county of their filing. Wickenhauser said the response left them floored. 

"We told the attorney that we filed this petition, and his response was he'll just fire us. Blanket termination," Wickenhauser said.

Christina DeAngelo, a staff representative with AFSCME 31 representing the DeWitt employees, said that it is illegal to threaten legal action against a legal strike.

"While the county says that they disagree with that allegation, we've not seen any retraction. We have not seen any correction, and we have not seen any, guarantee that they will honor and respect the rights under the Labor Act." DeAngelo said.

Another bargaining meeting is scheduled for early September. The earliest the union can strike is Aug. 28, and they can choose any time after that to strike. 

WAND News attempted to meet with the County Board following Thursday night's meeting, but was unable to make contact.

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