CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — While both sides expect to eventually agree to a collective bargaining agreement, preliminary negotiations broke down this week between the Nueces County Sheriff Officer’s Association, which represents the county’s law enforcement officers, and the county commissioner’s court.
Union leaders say deputies deserve raises after years of stagnating pay tied to county budget shortfalls.
“We’ve taken zeros in the past, but you know what, at that time is coming on, and we’re just not comfortable with taking zeros anymore,” said Mark Villarreal, president of the association. “And like I said before, frankly, that’s a slap in the face to every single man and woman who dons the officer’s uniform.”…