Butler County union workers rejected contract offers covering 340 employees it was announced this morning.

The offers included similar terms as an arbitration award given to 160 court-related employees.

The rejected offers called for a 2.5 percent pay hike effective July 1 and a 1.5 percent deduction from paychecks to pay a portion of employee benefits.

County Commissioner Dale Pinkerton, board chairman, said this morning there were tentative agreements with the bargaining units leading up to Wednesday's votes.

He said most workers have to pay far more for their health care benefits than what the county was asking its workers to pay.

"We don't understand what they're looking for," Pinkerton said.

He said the workers' rejections will lead to county layoffs to help offset a deficit that the health care contributions, co-pays and insurance deductibles would have covered.

"With this vote down, we have to let some people go," Pinkerton said.

He said layoffs could begin this month.

The Service Employees International Union, which covers all of the affected workers, did not yet release the voting tallies.

SEIU Healthcare represents Sunnyview workers while SEIU Local 668 represents government center and courthouse employees.

The previous contracts expired Nov. 30.