Jobs are on the line for seven county workers south of the metro. The Otoe County Board made a surprise vote for layoffs.

The board blames a $300,000 budget shortfall.

Support has been building for three bridge workers and four rock truck drivers let go without warning.

One woman told the board Tuesday, "I hope to remind the commissioners that this is a community not a cold-hearted corporation."

The county board was asked by workers' families, union representatives and taxpayers to delay layoffs and look for budget cuts elsewhere.

"Let us sit down and work with you. Let us see if we can come up with a working solution," said Union Representative George Forst.

But one commissioner's motion to delay layoffs died for lack of a second, causing an emotional outburst.

"No, no. Recall."

The county board chairman heard recall threats as a deputy cleared the room.

Many call the budget problem an excuse to pay back the workers union. One employee called it, "a vendetta against union."

"That's all somebody's opinion. There's no vendetta by any of the commissioner against the labor union," said Board Chair Dale Haverty.

With the county board's refusal to delay the layoffs, seven Otoe County road workers with public service ranging from one to 30 years will lose their jobs Sept. 1 -- Labor Day.

Chris Schneider is being laid off after 30 years with the county.

"I thought I had a steady job until retirement and I don't. So, I guess I go look around right now," Schneider said.

One citizen has initiated a recall effort against County Board Chairman Dale Haverty and the workers union filed a complaint with the Nebraska attorney general claiming the surprise vote for the layoffs violated the state opening meetings law.