Carlton County employees in AFSCME Local 2750 have been working without a contract since it expired Dec. 31, 2018.

Negotiations began in August 2018 with mediation services in the fall. After a mediation session Nov. 27, the Carlton County board of commissioners — through their negotiation team — presented its final offer. In late winter, the AFSCME county workers voted to not accept the proposal. The Carlton County board of commissioners sent a letter to the union March 22, notifying it that the board had determined the negotiations were at an impasse.

It appears health care funding for retir...