The State - News from Oct. 22, 1986

Madera County sheriff’s deputies who have worked two years without a contract are meeting through the week to discuss their next step and are discussing the possibility of a strike. “We’ve been thinking of striking,” said Steve Smith, president of the Deputy Sheriff’s Assn. “We don’t want to do it, but the possibility is there.” Representatives of the 43 deputies contend that they are the lowest paid peace officers in the state. Negotiations with county supervisors are at a standstill. At the latest supervisors meeting, several deputies tried to get on the agenda, but supervisors refused and after a shouting match adjourned the meeting. Smith is asking that negotiations resume with a state-appointed mediator.