COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The problems with retaining dispatchers at Branch County 911 Central Dispatch continues even though the Board of Commissioners and the union representating dispatchers have come to a contract agreement for 2020.
Dispatcher Kasey Winger submitted her resignation to Director Kurt Spalding Monday which is effective on February 2, 2020. Winger has been a dispatcher for three years.
She said it was not an easy decision but she felt working long hours has not been recognized by the commissioners or County Administrator Bud Norman.
She went on to complain that dispatchers do double the work for half the pay compared to surrounding counties. Winger said, “I have poured my heart into all of my work and after hearing the possible plans for the county, it is evident things will not be changing for the better of dispatch soon enough. If appropriate changes were made, I would be happy to work here again in the future.”
Winger said she has accepted a position with another employer and her decision was final.
The Branch County Board of Commissioners tentatively approved contracts with five unions representating county employees last Tuesday. The contracts covered Sheriff’s Department Road and Corrections sergeants along with 911 Dispatchers, Friend of the Court, District Court and Circuit Court union employees.
Commissioner Terri Norris said the two sides worked to reduce the differences between Tier One and Tier Two pay issues and that the unions were on board with the commissioners that the Tier Two pay scale needs to be eliminated.
