LOWVILLE — Union members at Lewis County General Hospital have rejected a contract offer.

Members of the hospital bargaining unit of the Civil Service Employees Union Local 825 last week voted against a proposed settlement that had been reached through negotiations, according to Christina M. Flint, the county-owned hospital’s marketing and public relations director. She declined to disclose terms but said hospital officials considered it a competitive offer.

Negotiations are expected to continue. A union representative was unable to be reached for comment Tuesday.

More than 500 members of the bargaining unit have been working without a contract since Jan. 1.

County legislators earlier this year reached contract settlements with bargaining units representing most county employees. However, they must still reach a settlement with roughly 20 road patrol sheriff’s deputies, whose previous contract expired Jan. 1, 2011.

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