Butler County union workers protested outside the county courthouse today because 140 county employees still don't have new contracts.

Those workers, including 911 dispatchers and human services employees, are working under the terms of their last contracts, which expired Nov. 30, 2008.

During their protest, more than 25 people gathered in front of the courthouse on Main Street about noon, then marched a block on Diamond Street to the county government center.

Laura Kowalski, business agent for Service Employees International Union Local 668, said there are numerous sticking points. She says a major problem is the county's latest offer for a salary increase: 2.5 percent.

She stressed that amount would be insufficient to cover concessions such as a 1.5 percent employee contribution for health care benefits and insurance deductibles.

But Bill O'Donnell, chief county clerk, said the last offer was 3 percent, which is the same amount roughly 200 union workers at the Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center received this year.

"It'd be unfair to give more to them than Sunnyview," he said. "That would be slapping Sunnyview workers in the face."

The SEIU was to negotiate with county officials later today.