Labor pact likely near, board says

Staff report

LISBON

The Columbiana County Board of Developmental Disabilities issued a statement Friday saying it believes an agreement is close with one of its three unions.

The statement released by CCDD board spokesman Steve Kline came after the Columbiana County Developmental Disabilities Employees Association announced it set a strike date of April 23.

The strike vote, taken Thursday, came one day after members of the union presented material to the county commissioners on the contract talks. The commissioners adopt whatever contract the CCDD reaches with its workers but are not involved in the negotiations.

The board and the workers have been trying to negotiate a new pact since the last contract expired Dec. 31, 2008.

The union represents about 106 workers ranging from nurses to custodians.