COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – A Branch County 911 dispatcher made a plea to county commissioners Friday to get their contract situation with the county solved in a fair and timely manner.
Branch County 911 dispatchers have been represented by the Police Officers Association of Michigan and they have been working without a contract since the end of 2015.
Dispatcher Kristen Crabtree says they have met with County Administrator Bud Norman three times since the contract expired, with the last meeting taking place February 1, 2017.
She added there has been a high amount of turnover among dispatchers, with 15 employees leaving since the Tier Two system was established.
Commission Chair Ted Gordon said this will be looked at further, possibly during the next Commissioners meeting.
Three other dispatchers were on hand but did not speak.
Dispatchers took out an ad in this weeks Shopper’s Guide explaining their side of the dispute. They expressed their unhappiness several months ago with the previous Board of Commissioners and Norman, because they felt they were being “strong armed” into signing a contract that they said would increase insurance premiums by three times.
