This past weekend, county employees represented by AFSCME, Local 1849, AFL-CIO, voted to reject a tentative agreement with San Juan County on a new three-year contract. The current contract expires Dec. 31, 2014. Representatives from AFSCME and county management had been in negotiations on contract terms since August, assisted by a facilitator from the state’s Public Employment Relations Commission.

The tentative agreement included wages and annual cost-of-living increases, contributions to a health care savings account and modifications to the management of the contract. The county council is required to adopt the county’s 2015 budget before the end of the year. Adoption of the budget was scheduled for Dec. 9. Absent a signed contract, county officials say there is no basis for providing a cost of living adjustment or continuing benefit contributions provided for in the expiring contract.

Council members have unanimously stated they remain hopeful of reaching a contract agreement that is both fiscally responsible and satisfactory to the county’s represented employees.