Dispatchers OK Strike

Bartonville (Ill.) dispatchers have filed a 10-day notice they will strike by August 10th if they haven’t reachd a contract agreement with the town. The 10 dispatchers have been working without a contract since May 10th, and are now asking for a 3-1/2% pay increase and what’s called longevity pay increases that kick in when a dispatcher reaches the top of seven pay steps. The city wants to so away with the longevity increases for future hires. The dispatchers held an informational picket line last Tuesday with signs warning citizens, “911 Dispatchers Going On Strike.”