In a late switch in plans, the union representing 200 workers at Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center have called off the vote on a new contract set for today.

Under the auspices of a state-appointed mediator, a new contract offer was devised for the Sunnyview workers.

As of Friday, a vote on the proposal was set for today. However, union chiefs from the health care division of the Service Employees International Union on Saturday called off the vote.

Bonnie Gould, union steward at Sunnyview, was taken off guard by the decision.

"I'm shocked," she said in an interview. After 21 years as a Sunnyview worker, most of which she has been a union representative, Gould has never seen this happen.

She said SEIU officials on Friday insisted the vote still was scheduled for today. Gould said she was told a joint negotiation session with other county bargaining units will occur today in lieu of a vote. Last month, county workers in four other bargaining units rejected earlier proposed contracts.

The SEIU did not yet reschedule the Sunnyview vote.

While scrambling to deal with the late notice, Gould said the whole negotiating process this time has been a little unusual with a divergence of the customary way of Sunnyview workers voting with other union workers at the courthouse and government center.

"We've always supported each other in the past," she said. Gould reiterated Sunnyview workers are satisfied with the county's previously proposed salary increase and health care contribution. All county employees were offered a 2 percent salary hike and a 1.5 percent paycheck deduction to pay a portion of their health benefits.