Deal lets 35 North Las Vegas firefighters stay on job

Dozens of firefighters who faced layoffs in North Las Vegas will keep their jobs.

The City Council on Wednesday approved an agreement on contract concessions with the firefighters union to save the jobs of 35 firefighters.

The agreement includes a 5 percent base salary reduction for union members. Firefighters in the city average $162,000 a year in salaries and benefits, according to a committee formed last year to study the city's budget.

The value of the concessions is about $2 million.

The agreement is effective Aug. 1 and is good through the end of January, at which time the parties will talk again. It includes eliminating uniform maintenance pay, educational reimbursements and educational incentives.

The proposed layoffs were part of the city's plan to bridge a $30.3 million shortfall in the fiscal 2012 budget year, which began July 1.

Contact reporter Lynnette Curtis at lcurtis@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0285.