Goodman says wage talks mired in ‘gridlock’

Las Vegas and its employees are stuck in "gridlock" over wage issues, Mayor Oscar Goodman said Thursday.

He proposed airing the negotiating positions of the city and its bargaining units at the City Council meeting on April 7.

"I think it's a way to have the story told," Goodman said. "The facts will come out. We'll tell the world where we are, and where they are, and the world can then make a judgment."

The unions, however, have not been shy about publicizing their ideas for solving the city's budget crisis. They say Goodman has tunnel vision and is fixated on his way and his way only.

As part of a plan to tackle a $70 million budget deficit in the next fiscal year, city leaders have asked workers to give up all scheduled raises and take an 8 percent pay cut in each of the next two years. Almost all city employees are covered by labor contracts and must agree to any changes .

Without the cuts, 146 people could be laid off in June.

Las Vegas firefighters are negotiating a new contract with the city and have offered a "zero-cost" budget that leaves personnel costs unchanged from this year, union head Dean Fletcher said.

"The problem is that nobody on the city's team has the authority to make a decision. That's where gridlock can happen," Fletcher said. "If the city team thinks we're in gridlock, then I'll guess we'll go to binding arbitration and let somebody else decide."

Fletcher said he is scheduled to meet with city negotiators next week.

Goodman said he used the word "gridlock" because no one has agreed to the 8 percent reduction. He also said that for now, the city is only focusing on a reduction for the next fiscal year.

"Let's do one year at a time. We take 8 percent now," he said. "Until I hear that figure, it's gridlock."

Other unions have offered alternatives to the city's budget woes.

The Police Protective Association, which represents city marshals, offered to give up cost-of-living pay increases and a uniform allowance and freeze longevity pay. Those eligible for annual merit increases would get those, and the association wanted a promise that all money saved under their plan would be used to keep marshals employed.

The city responded that the proposal only reduces raises that are already called for instead of cutting from existing levels.

The largest city union, the Las Vegas City Employees Association, came up with a plan calling for the city to increase property taxes, dig deeper into reserves, cut some expenses and bring outsourced professional services back into the city.

Doing so would eliminate the need for layoffs, according to documents the group presented to the city.

"That was just something for the city to consider," said union head Don King, adding that he has heard "not a word" from city officials about those ideas and others his members have submitted.

"I'm trying to talk with them. We are still talking and we are still working."

Some people are willing to give concessions, King said, and he expects to have another proposal ready next week.

City employees are getting frustrated with Goodman's insistence that the 8 percent pay cuts are the only way to avoid layoffs, King said. "I don't think he's going to get that from anyone."

Contact reporter Alan Choate at achoate@reviewjournal.com or 702-229-6435.