The Sheriff's Office sent no one.
We explained to the County why their offer was voted down.
They left the room.
The mediator tried to nail down the main dispute. We replied money and the parameters for the 28 day schedule not being in writing.
The County pulled their offer and we began trying to nail down items for arbitration.
The mediator was still wanting to work out a settlement if possible.
We gave it one last shot (or so I thought). We told the mediator that if they offered the market adjustment (1% in 2014 and 1% in 2015) across the steps for all job classes in addition to the 2.5% Cost of Living the members would probably vote it in.
The county rejected the offer. They do not want to give a market adjustment to those of you not at top pay, unless you are a dispatcher.
Much discussion took place among the stewards. The majority of stewards felt the members didn't understand the "risk" of going to arbitration and felt the County's last offer should be re-voted.
I was among those who thought that we should just go to arbitration, as the membership already voted the offer down and get it done, but democracy prevails.
You will again receive a ballot for the last offer that you voted down.
My opinion has not changed since February.
No sense retyping identical words. Read my post from last time, my position is the same:
Mediation "Employers Best and Final Proposal"
And I will add the disclaimer this is not an official MNPEA blog or representative of the other stewards. It is just my opinion and clearly a minority one, at least among the stewards.
