Agreement between firefighters, City of Las Vegas will save $4 million

The city of Las Vegas has reached a tentative agreement with firefighters on a new labor contract.

Highlights of the deal posted with the City Council agenda for next Wednesday show a total of a little more than $4 million in savings in the contract, short of the $6 million the city was hoping to achieve but more than enough to plug a projected $2.5 million shortfall in the Fire Department budget, City Manager Betsy Fretwell said.

The agreement posted Thursday on the city's website was reached through mediation after an impasse between the two sides was reported in May.

It's the result of changes to three categories in the existing two-year contract that were up for renegotiation: wages, medical and uniform.

The firefighters and paramedics, about 600 in Las Vegas, are represented by IAFF Local 1285.

The city's annual operating budget is about $455 million, with about $104 million going toward the Fire Department.

Dean Fletcher, president of the firefighter local, did not return a call for comment. Fretwell said the union will vote on the deal in the next two weeks.

According to the documents posted, the agreement continues the freeze on cost of living adjustment pay raises.

Also included is a continued reduction in the city's share of health insurance payments from $450 to $360 per employee, per pay period, which saves taxpayers an estimated $1.4 million.

The second-biggest line item is $900,000 in savings by continuing the elimination of uniform allowances, followed by $520,000 by extending the period firefighters are ineligible for overtime following a sick day from three to eight days.

The deal also includes continued reductions in step pay increases worth $450,000 and boosts the number of "rovers" on duty, a reference to firefighters who are available to cover for people who are sick and on vacation without incurring overtime, which would save $250,000.

The agreement, if approved by the City Council and the union, comes about four months after the two sides declared they were at an impasse and would need a mediator to settle the deal.

Fretwell said the city still has a projected budget shortfall of about $4 million, which she characterized as "way better" than the projected $40 million to $50 million anticipated shortfall of a few years ago.

"It is all because our employees have been willing to sit down and make some concessions," Fretwell said.

A study in 2010 showed Las Vegas firefighter base pay averaged $69,609, which was 7 percent above market rate.

Contact reporter Benjamin Spillman at bspillman@gmail.com or 702-229-6435.