Raises smaller for state workers

Monday, Feb. 10, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- State employees have been shortchanged on pay raises in the last five years when compared with local government workers in Nevada.

A study by the state Personnel Department, released last week, showed the 14,500 classified state employees had received an 8 percent cost-of-living increase in salary since 1993, compared with an average of 17.6 percent given by six of the biggest local governments.

For instance, employees of Las Vegas enjoyed a 23 percent increase over that period and Clark County workers received 13.9 percent. Employees in North Las Vegas received 19.7 percent during the five-year period.

The report said pay for state workers is 16.6 percent behind the Nevada marketplace. In 1992, the state pay trailed by 11.5 percent.

"The problem is that it just keeps getting worse ... it's not getting any better," said Bob Gagnier, executive director of the 4,500-member State of Nevada Employees Association.

As a result, Gagnier said, the recommendation by Gov. Bob Miller for a 3 percent pay increase in each of the next two years is not enough.

"Our own survey shows us behind local government 15 to 67 percent, depending on the job category," said Gagnier, whose association wants a 9 percent increase starting in July.

The Personnel Department contacted ten Western states, Nevada cities, counties, school districts, hospitals and private employers. Of the 75 employers contacted, 66 responded.

When all employers are considered as a whole, state employees are behind the labor market by 4.5 percent. Wages for Nevada state employees lag other Western state government workers by only 1.7 percent.

But when the total compensation package is considered -- retirement, sick leave, annual leave and holidays -- the mid-range for Nevada state workers is $29,493 compared with $27,741 for the average of workers in other Western states.

The survey showed the average total compensation for cities and counties in Nevada at $38,247, or more than $8,000 ahead of state workers.

For instance, law enforcement jobs for the state are nearly 25 percent below the average.

A Capitol police officer is anywhere from 15 to 32 percent below the median paid other officers with similar jobs. A highway patrol sergeant trails the median wage by 14 to 28 percent. A criminal investigator is 19-27 percent behind.

The survey shows a highway patrol trooper II is behind 2.3 percent in starting pay but is 1.2 percent above the average of other police agencies in maximum pay. The Legislature, at Miller's request, gave the troopers a 10 percent raise in 1995.

A bill was introduced Thursday by the union representing the patrolmen to ensure that troopers make at or above the average paid to officers in the larger cities and counties.

Gagnier said his survey shows prison correctional officers make 50 to 67 percent less than those hired in Clark and Washoe counties.

"All law enforcement classifications have fallen drastically behind," he said. "That's why we've asked for a 9 percent cost-of-living raise."

The major reason for state government falling behind is that employees did not get a cost-of-living increase in fiscal 1993, 1994 and 1995 when the economy and tax revenues tumbled. In July 1995, state workers received a 5 percent increase, the highest of any government in Nevada, and got a 3 percent increase in July 1996, above the average 2.6 percent granted by local governments.

During the last five years, the consumer price index has risen by 14.3 percent.