NLV police union will vote on new contract

Lisa Snedeker

Friday, April 9, 1999 | 10:25 a.m.

The North Las Vegas Police Officers Association has confirmed that its members are scheduled to vote Wednesday on a four-year contract with the city, which could end a dispute that began in August.

No other details -- such as the amount of the salary increases -- of the contract were available.

The union, which represents about 280 police officers, detention officers, bailiffs and detectives, has been without a contract since June 30, 1998.

"North Las Vegas officers have been nearly two years without a raise," Dave Galyen, president of the association, said in a prepared release. "We did not get everything we wanted, but I believe we have an equitable contract, and I am recommending it to my members for approval."

A special City Council meeting has been scheduled for 5 p.m. April 15 to consider the ratification of a contract for police and detention officers.

Galyen said the union's goal has been to get a simple, fair contract for the officers.

The City Council voted 4-1 Aug. 5 not to accept the original proposed contract negotiated with city staff. That contract had proposed a 4 percent increase, compared with the city's budgeted amount of 3.5 percent. Councilman William Robinson cast the dissenting vote.

About 40 residents turned out at Wednesday's council meeting to express their support for the city's police officers and to confront city leaders on the lack of a contract.

The city and the union recently began renegotiating a contract following the extended impasse, during which the union filed an unfair labor practice complaint with the state Employee-Management Relations Board, accusing the city of "negotiating in bad faith."

Galyen said union officials have agreed to dismiss the complaint if the association's membership and the City Council ratify the new proposal.