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County workers willing to strike 98 percent of employees at meeting reject latest contract offer; mediation is Friday By JILL BRISKEY If contract disputes between Jackson County and union employees can't be resolved, workers say they're willing to go on strike. Several hundred members of the Jackson County Employees Association attended a pre-strike meeting Tuesday to discuss their course of action if settlement negotiations fail. According to union organizer Barbara Kellogg, 98 percent of those at the gathering voted to reject the county's current contract offer and strike if the mediation process results in a stalemate. "It's quite a large number. I'm surprised at how big it is," Kellogg said of the votes. Exact final figures were unavailable at press time. The county's contract with the Jackson County Employees Association - which includes all employees except management, sheriff's department and "confidential employees" such as executive secretaries - ended June 30 but was extended 30 days. Approximately 650 employees are part of the association. County employees are asking for increased wages and equal health insurance coverage, Kellogg said. "We're willing to strike if they don't change their ideas," said Monty Walters, president of the Jackson County Employees Association. "We're 10 percent below the national, market average." Mediation is set to begin Friday morning. If a settlement cannot be reached after 15 days, Kellogg said a 30-day cooling off period will begin. Union members must cast a second vote before a strike would take place, she added. "At this point we're just beginning the mediation process," Kellogg said. "It would be great if everything comes together on Friday. We would be very happy." County administrator Sue Slack said she feels it is possible for both sides to walk away happy. "Financial issues are very typically stumbling blocks," Slack said. "I'm very hopeful it will work out." Lonny Morgan, the union's vice president, said some Jackson County employees are paid up to 24 percent less than those in comparable counties, such as Linn and Josephine. Morgan said employees are willing to risk layoffs if a strike becomes imminent. "There's always those risks. Most of these folks, this is their only income," Morgan said. "We're hoping to get the message across that we're tired of the county's fooling around." Kellogg said county employees want to receive the same amount of health insurance coverage as county managers, at the same cost. "Our kids are just as deserving as quality health care as their kids," Kellogg said. "We're in a situation where the paycheck isn't as much and the benefits won't be as much. "We believe the county should make a more equal amount of money available." Jackson County senior analyst Janet Rantz said she can't remember the last time county employees went on strike, but remains hopeful that a solution will be reached during the mediation process. "Insurance is a big issue for everybody, especially in Southern Oregon," Rantz said. "It's in everyone's best interest (to come to an agreement)." Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.