(Updated 1/1/21) –

The Cass County Board of Supervisors, Thursday, met with Curt Holste and Corey Kirchhoff, representing the Secondary Roads Employees Bargaining Unit group, to discuss an apparent breach of\ the current employee agreement. Board Chair/Supervisor Steve Baier told KJAN News, the issue began when one of the Secondary Roads Department’s Shop Foreman developed medical issues that are in the process of being taken care of. In the meantime, he is unable to perform his duties.

Since the Foreman became ill in mid-October, Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken proposed having the person who fills the position become the Interim Foreman, and be paid accordingly.

So, if a laborer works at a yardman’s position for at least eight-hours, the pay would be bumped to yardman’s wages, but, because of the classification as written, in the past, there was no extra pay to perform the duties of foreman.

The Board agreed to his proposal, and a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) was drawn-up confirming their approval. The MOU is set to expire at the end of the current Fiscal Year (June 30, 2021). The bargaining group, Baier said, questioned why the change was being included now, when it hasn’t been before. The discussion, Thursday, he said, included whether or not the matter would at least be considered for part of the permanent contract, in the future, going forward.

The Board and the Bargaining Unit Representatives set a date in the first full week of this month (January, 2021) to meet and begin work on a fiscal year 2022 bargaining agreement.

Baier says it is an unusual situation, for sure, but one that will be worked out.