Clark County ratifies two-year pact with employees union

The County Commission ratified a two-year contract agreement Tuesday with the Service Employees International Union for fiscal years 2012 and 2013.

Under the contract provisions, which are expected to save the county about $20.4 million over two years, members of the county's largest public employees union will not receive cost-of-living adjustments for both years and will have a 24-month merit pay freeze and a 12-month longevity pay freeze.

The county is working to bridge a
$42 million budget gap for fiscal year 2012.

Union members have voted for the agreement, which expires June 30, 2013.

Negotiations between the two parties stalled in October because of a disagreement regarding the elimination of longevity pay for new hires -- which is not part of this agreement -- and allegations by the county that the union was not bargaining in good faith because the groups were only meeting about once a month.

Those talks were deadlocked during the sixth bargaining session. The matter went to mediation in early December. Both parties agreed on the contract, Assistant City Manager Ed Finger said.

Commissioner Steve Sisolak pointed out that because the agreement is for two years, the county's bargaining unit will not have to renegotiate again next year.

"I appreciate the savings, reductions and freezes that the county and taxpayers will get the benefit of," Sisolak said.

Finger expressed relief at that thought.

"We can all use the break, and we'll enjoy it," Finger said.

The union represents public employees at McCarran International Airport and the Department of Family Services, among other agencies. The agreement will cover airport, Family Services and water reclamation employees, among others.

A Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce study found that the state's public workers were the ninth-highest paid nationwide, receiving an average annual pay of $56,872 in 2009. That was
13 percent higher than the national average of $50,187. But the study found that Nevada ranked last in the number of public workers per capita, with 43.6 for every 1,000 residents in 2009.

County management has said
70 percent of union members receive a 4 percent merit increase each year on their anniversary. The other 30 percent are at the top of their pay range and no longer receive the increase. Once employees reach eight years of service, they receive a 0.57 percent longevity pay increase for each year of service. County officials said they spend $35 million each year on longevity pay.

Commissioners on Tuesday also extended a merit pay freeze for nonunion county and water reclamation district employees expected to save the county $1.6 million in salary and benefit reductions.

Contact reporter Kristi Jourdan at kjourdan@reviewjournal.com or 702-455-4519.