Labor boss pleads for collective bargaining

Tuesday, Feb. 23, 1999 | 11:09 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- State workers have suffered a "great injustice" since 1969 because they have not been permitted to bargain for their pay and benefits as county and city employees have, a union official said today.

Danny Thompson of the Nevada State AFL-CIO was the lead-off witness before the Assembly Government Affairs Committee supporting Assembly Bill 131, which would give 15,000 state workers the right to negotiate for their wages, insurance and other benefits.

A 1969 law permitted city and county employees the right of collective bargaining. State workers have been trying since to get similar legislation. Bills have passed the Assembly five times in past years, only to die in the Senate. One time the bill got through both houses but was vetoed by Gov. Bob Miller.

Gov. Kenny Guinn does not favor collective bargaining for state workers. Neither does the Republican-controlled Senate.

State salaries have fallen behind local governments in Nevada, supporters say. The starting salary for state correctional officers is 49.1 percent lower than similar positions at local jails, Bob Gagnier, executive director of the State of Nevada Employees Association, told the committee. Accounting clerks for the state start at 18.5 percent below those in local governments.

If the collective bargaining bill passes, the law prohibiting strikes would remain in effect.