Henderson firefighters delay most of pay increase

Henderson firefighters, to help the city through tough financial times, will delay most of a pay increase they were set to receive this year.

The city's 188 union firefighters were due for a 3.5 percent bump during the current fiscal year. Instead, their wage increase will be spread over the next three years, starting with 1 percent this year and 1.25 percent in each of the next two years.

The difference is expected to save the city about $2.3 million.

City Council members adopted the change on Tuesday in a unanimous vote with no discussion.

The move drew praise from city spokesman Bud Cranor.

"I think the point for us is this is money we wouldn't have had," he said. "For any of our bargaining units to come to the table when they don't have to is important to us. I think the city appreciates that."

Union President Brian Wolfgram said the change has been in discussions for several months. Union members approved it on Aug. 28 because they felt like it was "the right thing to do," Wolfgram said.

Fred Horvath, the city's acting human resources director, said the firefighters showed "amazing leadership" as did the other bargaining units that agreed to concessions.

The Henderson Police Officers Association, Henderson Police Supervisors Association, Teamsters Local 14 and the city's nonrepresented employees previously agreed to reduce negotiated pay raises significantly or eliminate them altogether.

All told, the concessions from employees are expected to save the city about $10 million over the next four years.

Before he participated in Tuesday night's vote, Mayor Andy Hafen disclosed that his son works as a Henderson firefighter.