Kane County probation officer strike enters 3rd day

No new negotiations are planned as Kane County probation officers and youth counselors continue their strike that began Monday.

Lisa Aust, Kane County Court Services executive director, said the county and union are keeping communication lines open, but no formal discussions are planned.

"There is communication going back and forth," she said.

The Teamsters Local 330 went on strike this week, with 118 probation officers and juvenile youth counselors walking off the job after rejecting a final contract offer from the county on Friday.

The union wants a 15-stage step increase honored; the county says it can't afford raises of 3.7 percent each year for the next decade plus.

Union President Dominic Romanazzi has said union members want to lock in a long-term extension matching many of the parameters of the old contract. He could not be reached for comment.

The previous deal included 1 percent pay raises each year on top of 2.7 percent increases for employees moving up to the next salary step for a total possible pay increase of 3.7 percent in one year.

Aust said earlier this week that officials shifted resources to ensure the 36 juveniles being detained while their cases are pending still receive educational services. Overall, the county has nearly 3,000 people on probation as a result of Kane County court cases.