Battalion chiefs’ salaries face 5 percent cut

Clark County Fire Department battalion chiefs' salaries would be reduced almost 5 percent under a tentative agreement reached by their union and county officials.

The county and Supervisory Unit Local 1908 of the International Association of Firefighters signed the agreement Thursday and announced it Friday.

The deal, if approved by the County Commission and the nine battalion chiefs affected, would reduce average annual compensation by more than $40,000, which includes a reduction in base wages of 4.875 percent and "significant" reductions in callback and overtime, according to a county statement.

It also would reduce vacation and sick leave accruals, freeze merit increases, reduce longevity pay and reduce bonus leave for new employees.

The two-year contract would start July 1 and end June 30, 2013.

The battalion chiefs each manage 10 fire stations and supervise and direct overall firefighting and rescue operations at fire scenes and other complex emergencies.