CASSOPOLIS — Cass County commissioners accepted a three-year agreement reached with Teamsters Local 214.

The union represents deputies, corrections officers and dispatchers.

The March 15 agreement spans Jan. 1, 2011 to Dec. 31, 2013 and provides 2 percent wage increases each year.

“I’m concerned about this contract,” Commissioner Robert Ziliak, R-Milton Township, explained his lone no vote in a 14-1 margin Thursday, April 7.

“My main concern is 2 percent increases this year and next year. I think they got 2 percent this year and 2 percent last year, too, and yet, our core inflation was zero,” he said.

“Law enforcement has very strong unions and special privileges,” responded County Administrator Charles Cleaver, who debuted April 7.

“It’s a significant difference in what they’re paying for health insurance,” Sheriff Joseph Underwood said, with an employee premium share of 10 percent effective Sept. 1, and 11 percent effective Sept. 1, 2012.