The Deschutes County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a one year extension to the existing collective bargaining agreement, with the international Union of Operating Engineers, or IUOE, Local 701. The Union represents employees working in the Road and Solid Waste Departments. The extension includes a zero percent cost of living adjustment for the fiscal year beginning July first. Deschutes County Administrator Dave Kanner says he's extremely pleased that the Union members see that it is inappropriate in this economic climate, to request a raise. "All of those Union members are members of this community; they can see for themselves what's going on. And I think they are appreciative of the fact that they do have good jobs with benefits and that we can return to the bargaining table when economic conditions are better than they are now." They are still in negotiation with several other bargaining units, and he hopes that similar agreements can be reached.