Collective bargaining on tap again

Friday, April 11, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

Assembly Bill 310 is the latest attempt to allow state employees to bargain for higher wages and better working conditions. Similar bills have failed every session since 1991, even though the state allowed local government workers collective bargaining rights in 1969.

Bob Gagnier, executive director of the State of Nevada Employees Association, said Thursday that AB310 differs from previous bills because it gives the Legislature final say on pay increases or changes in working conditions.

"That's the one thing that worries me most," Gagnier said of that concession. "But I put it in there to pass the bill."

According to AB310, if the Legislature doesn't approve a salary increase, the employees' salary would remain the same. Salary requests would be submitted to the Legislature each session by nine separate bargaining units, including those for state workers, prison guards and Highway Patrol troopers.

Although Gov. Bob Miller vetoed a collective bargaining bill in 1991, Department of Personnel Director Sharon Murphy said Miller supports AB310.

archive