ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- They gathered by the hundreds. Their message was written in bold font and their voices boomed down Main Street.

"We have a lot of folks from the labor community here supporting workers who are employed by Monroe County," Ove Overmyer, CSEA spokesperson said.

The picket was sponsored by the CSEA, a union representing 1,800 county public service employees. They haven't had a contract since December of 2013. CSEA Local 828, Unit 7400 declared an impasse with negotiations in May.

"We are compelling the county to come to the table with a mediator at a meeting later this month," Overmyer said.

Turns out CSEA is just one of eight other unions in a stalemate with the county.

"We've been without a contract since 2012 I believe," Don Harter, a firefighter at the Greater Rochester International Airport said.

Harter is also a member of The International Association of Firefighters.

"Health benefits is a huge one, wages, we're just trying to keep up with everybody else," he said.

As the rally moved from outside to inside, union members brought county legislators into the conversation. It's where Wayne Guest was, the executive president of Monroe County Deputy Sheriff's Association.

"We've been out of a contract since 12/31/12," Guest said.

Guest said morale across the board is at an all-time low.

"The county really doesn't care anymore, you know," Guest said. "Obviously the men and women in the jail that I represent are going to continue to do their best job because we are sworn professionals."

County legislator Justin Wilcox, chimed in pointing the finger, like many at the rally, at the county's human resource director.

"When he said that they deserved, if it was up to him, they deserve minimum wage," Wilcox said. "That comment caught my attention."

Since then, Wilcox has been asking County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo how is the lag in negotiations acceptable?

"This is what you get when you have lack of leadership," Wilcox said. "This is really dysfunctional government."

County communications director William Napier responded in a statement, saying in part, "The County has always bargained in good faith.  However, the Taylor Law requires confidentiality and it is the county’s longstanding position not to discuss the status of ongoing labor negotiations."

He added the union's health insurance benefits are unsustainable, so the county asked unions to make health insurance concessions in exchange for raises.

Frustrated, fed up and feeling disrespected, union members are now turning to the very people they serve for help.

"Residents in Monroe County need to know if workers don't have the resources and tools necessary to do their job, or be successful in life, everyone suffers," Overmyer said.

The county and Deputy Sheriff's Association are scheduled for a third meeting on Thursday.

CSEA will meet with the county next Wednesday.