Police union to vote on reduction in cost-of-living

The Police Protective Association's civilian employee arm has agreed to a cost-of-living pay concession -- a 2 percentage point reduction in the existing contract -- with the Metropolitan Police Department.

The deal now goes to the rank and file for a vote. It would reduce 2009-10 cost-of-living increases to less than 2 percent. Las Vegas Police Protective Association, Civilian Employees President Terri Yada said she expects it to pass.

"They know what's going on out there," Yada said of her union members. "We're just grateful to hold on to our jobs with what's going out there."

The union and the police department had initially agreed to a 1 percentage point reduction on Wednesday, but Yada said Clark County Sheriff Doug Gillespie felt it wasn't enough and called the union back to the bargaining table on Thursday.

Officers last month agreed to forgo cost-of-living increases in exchange for the department, Las Vegas and Clark County paying more into the Public Employees' Retirement System.

Civilians and officers will still receive the same step and longevity raises.

Yada said she hopes the cost-of-living decrease will help prevent layoffs for the roughly 1,600 custodians, support staff, dispatchers and others the union represents.

The department is already not filling between 80 and 85 civilian vacancies, she said.

Contact reporter Lawrence Mower at lmower@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0440.