ERIE — Workers at the Erie County Office of Children and Youth were expected to continue picketing today after declaring an impasse in contract negotiations.

About 100 union workers went on strike Friday, after negotiations on a new contract broke down.

The last contract expired on Dec. 31. Workers had remained on the job, despite voting to approve a strike last month after the county offered a four-year contract with 3 percent raises in each of the first three years and a 3.2 percent raise in the final year.

Gene Walczak, one of about 100 members of Pennsylvania Social Services Union Local 668, said the county has spent too much time studying the pay issue.

The workers said their jobs have become more difficult since the May 2004 death of Brittany Legler, a disabled 15-year-old girl who was beaten by her adoptive mother. A new CYS director and new policies have resulted in larger caseloads for CYS workers, Walczak said.