Yes....YEARS ago. I don't like the idea of rushing a contract....or leaving the sheriff-elect out of the loop. That being said, I will be voting for the PBA.
I do want the bargaining unit, but I want it done right. If we include the sheriff-elect's concerns at the table, we can dismiss any worries about sabotage.
If that does not happen , however, the new Sheriff can negotiate changes on a need basis. He and the unit can negotiate amendments to a contract. So, either way, a sheriff elect will have his say.
For example, if the out going sheriff says, "I'm going to give you guys a 20% raise." Likely, the actual budget won't allow that. So the new Sheriff would come in with the negotiating unit and come up with a number everyone can live with, within budget constraints. This is called a memorandum of agreement and amends the contract, so I'm told. It will also have to be agreed upon by both parties to amend the contract, though. It works the same way if the new sheriff decides, "hey, you guys deserve a better raise next year than the contract states".