Becker County Union Employees Give Strike Notice

DETROIT LAKES (KDLM) – Becker County employees with Teamsters Local 320 have given a strike notice to the county.

Wages and health insurance costs are among the primary issues for the more than 170 Becker County Courthouse and Human Services employees.

A mediation session is scheduled for Tuesday, March 15 with the Minnesota Bureau of Mediation between the union and the county which could last several days.

If an agreement is not reached during that session the union could initiate a strike as soon as Tuesday, March 22.

Last week the County made an offer that the Union voted against. Last year, the average County employee received a 5.75% wage increase, comprised of a 2.75% general wage increase, and another 3% step increase for those employees not at the top of the wage scale. The County says they have made made a substantially higher wage offer during the 2022 negotiations. The Union, however says Becker County’s wages are below the average compared to other employers surrounding Becker County.