City marshals ratify labor contract that reduces pay, saves jobs

Las Vegas' city marshals have ratified a labor agreement that reduces their pay and salary schedule by 4 percent while preserving about 20 jobs and trimming $908,500 from the city's general fund budget.

Of the 71 marshals represented by the Las Vegas Police Protective Association, 76 percent voted in favor of the revised contract, Executive Director Chris Collins said.

The City Council approved the deal last week.

"The deputy city marshals are the first group of represented employees to step up to the plate," said Mayor Oscar Goodman in a statement.

He commended them "for doing their part to help the city deal with a budget crisis and I hope their actions will serve as an example for the entire valley."

With the pay reductions, the agreement eliminates cost-of-living and step increases and a uniform allowance for one year. When step raises return, they will be 4 percent a year instead of 5.5 percent.

A new marshal unit will be created to serve pending warrants that will generate revenue for the city.

The recession has hurt the budgets of public entities as economic activity and tax revenue dropped off.

For the 2011 fiscal year, Las Vegas had to cut $80 million, which included plans for more than 200 layoffs. The jobs saved by the marshals' agreement will reduce that number.