Union challenges firefighter pay

Cathy Scott

Wednesday, April 29, 1998 | 10:20 a.m.

Benefits and extra pay for five Clark County firefighters are being challenged by union representatives in the middle of negotiations for a new contract.

Two firefighters, including Steve La-Sky, an acting public information officer, are officially stationed in Laughlin and collecting extra pay for it, but are not physically working there. Three other firefighters are receiving "24-hour benefits," or extra pay, while on temporary transfers, sources said.

A letter from the Clark County Firefighters Local 1908 was sent to the county manager about two months ago, challenging the extra pay.

But until the firefighters are transferred permanently, they still may collect the $460 per month in extra pay, according to the union contract.

Fire Chief Earl Green said today that he couldn't talk about the dispute because he is in the middle of negotiations for a new contract.

However, Tom Warden, spokesman for the county, said, "Chief Green believes that he is not in violation of the current contract and that he is following established past practices in paying these benefits. The only way these practices could change would be through the negotiation process."