Union members who work for some divisions of the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office say they've been working 6 years without a contract.

At this month's county legislature meeting, about 40 CSEA members showed up. The unit president says the union covers the jail division, the security division, and the civil department of the sheriff's office. Members say the union contract expired in 2012 they want their contract ratified.

County officials who have been in the talks say they appreciate the employees' work, and that they will negotiate in good faith to settle on a contract, but note negotiations can be complex.

"Each request of the county by the union may appear reasonable in nature, but each features significant costs to taxpayers, costs which must be weighed with fiscal prudent policy," said Sullivan County Manager Josh Potosek. "The specifics of health insurance, retirement, compensatory time and overtime expenses must all be evaluated carefully."

"We've had extensive negotiations with the county, we have negotiated with the county as far as our wages go, and we continue to keep pushing forward and providing our service to the county," said CSEA Unit President John Wagner.

Union members say they plan on coming to every monthly legislature meeting until the contracts are settled. Once a contract is negotiated between county leaders and the union, it's up to the county legislature to give the final approval.