Firefighters, county to go to arbitration over contract

Clark County and its local firefighters union will go to arbitration to settle the deadlock in contract talks.

Commissioner Steve Sisolak said Friday that the county manager confirmed receiving a letter from the president of the firefighters union stating his willingness to pursue binding arbitration.

"I think it's great," Sisolak said. "It's going to save us a lot of time."

Union leaders declared an impasse in contract negotiations Tuesday after the county turned down what they described as almost $10 million in concessions. County officials contend the union is inflating the proposed savings.

Ryan Beaman, president of the International Association of Firefighters Local 1908, couldn't be reached for comment Friday.

The first step is for the two sides to submit a joint request to the American Arbitration Association for a list of seven prospective arbitrators. The county and union then will take turns scratching candidates off the list until one remains. That arbitrator will handle the dispute.

Both sides present their best offers to the arbitrator, who chooses one. The decision is final and binding.

The county will make public the offer it submits to the arbitrator, said Erik Pappa, county spokesman.

Arbitrators have backgrounds in law and often are attorneys. However, they can vary in their views of government and labor, Pappa said.

"Some have been more sympathetic to unions and some are more sympathetic to management," Pappa said. "It all depends on the arbitrator."

By agreeing to arbitration, the union is making an abrupt shift from its previous stance.

An exchange of letters in July shows the county's negotiator, Don Burnette, stating the two sides had reached an impasse after several months of bargaining and they should settle the dispute through arbitration.

But Beaman resisted, saying he would prefer they engage in fact-finding instead.

In fact-finding, a moderator helps the two sides to analyze their differences and, unlike an arbitrator, makes no ruling.

Earlier this week, Sisolak criticized Beaman's refusal to go directly to arbitration, calling it a stalling tactic. While the county and the union plow through fact-finding and arbitration, firefighters would enjoy their same pay and benefits, Sisolak said.

On a local talk show Wednesday, Beaman claimed he mailed county officials a letter Monday agreeing to arbitration. He said county leaders apparently had gaps in their communication.

Sisolak, who also was on the program, said Beaman after the segment showed him a letter dated Aug. 2 -- Monday -- requesting arbitration. Beaman also showed him a certified-mail card as proof that he actually sent the letter.

"Is it the date he actually sent it?" Sisolak said. "I don't know."

Contact reporter Scott Wyland at swyland@reviewjournal.com or 702-455-4519.