CLINTON, Ill. (WCIA) — The employees of the DeWitt County Highway Department have authorized a strike as they report being threatened by the county to avoid striking.

The union representing the employees, AFSCME Local 1296, stated that on Wednesday, the employees declared their intention to strike, following nine months of contract negotiations with the county.

Should further negotiations fail to yield a new contract, the employees can strike as early as Aug. 28.

Along with the strike announcement, AFSCME alleged that the county breached state labor law during the talks, initially by labeling its first proposal as the “final offer” and subsequently by threatening to terminate any striking employee.

“AFSCME members in the highway department provide valuable public service to the people of DeWitt County,” said Dave Beck, AFSCME Council 31 regional director. “In return, they deserve a fair contract with fair pay, but instead county managers are refusing to bargain and making illegal threats. That’s wrong.”

WCIA reached out to DeWitt County for a response but has not heard back.

Highway workers and AFSCME leaders will attend the DeWitt County board meeting on Thursday to address the labor dispute. The meeting is set for 6 p.m. at the county building (201 West Washington Street in Clinton).

The DeWitt County Highway Department handles the maintenance of all county roads and rights-of-way, which includes tasks like filling potholes, replacing signs and posts, plowing and salting roads in the winter, ensuring water drainage, mowing ditches, maintaining shoulders, and more.