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Will County Workers Threaten Strike

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Will County workers are talking strike if contract talks don't end satisfactorily, and the county is preparing for a possible walkout.

Will County Strike Looms

Contract negotiations are scheduled for tomorrow.

In the meantime, the Will County government workers' union, AFSCME Local 1028, is preparing for a possible walkout.

There was a series of meetings recently with rank and file on the matter.

The county is also preparing for a strike.

Will County chief of staff Nick Palmer says the county is having department heads prepare so that county services can continue.

Palmer says "end offers" should be made soon.

Palmer says county workers must absorb more of their health care costs, that "times are tough" and that the current county board is having to increase worker health insurance premiums because it hasn't been done by other boards over the past 16 years.

The union doesn't like that.

Pay is also an issue. Union leader David Delrose say the goal is not a strike, but a fair contract.

The union represents more than 1,200 Will County government workers.

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