NV Energy, union agree to new contract

NV Energy, the electric utility formerly known as Nevada Power Co., disclosed Wednesday that it agreed to a new, three-year collective-bargaining agreement with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 396.

The agreement, which continues until Jan. 11, 2011, includes unspecified wage increases for this year and the following two years for 1,300 union members at the uility, according to a company report to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

It provides for a cash balance pension, “signing bonuses,” changes in overtime scheduling rules, and a modified holiday schedule.

A spokesman for NV Energy declined to elaborate. Attempts to reach a spokesman for IBEW 396 were unsuccessful.

IBEW members staged a protest outside the Nevada Power building on Sahara Avenue in July, but the union didn’t strike.