State workers stage rally for higher pay

Wednesday, July 12, 2000 | 10:33 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- About 150 state workers rallied beside the Capitol Tuesday for higher pay and benefits, saying they have fallen behind their counterparts in local governments in wages and other compensation.

They carried such signs as "We're tired of baloney. We Want a Real Raise" and "Kenny, why did your personal staff get a huge raise and state classified employees got nothing?"

Some of Gov. Kenny Guinn's staff received large pay raises in 1999 while other state workers received no extra money.

Guinn was invited to attend but didn't show up. He has pledged to make salaries one of his priorities in the 2001-2003 budget.

Wayne Nash, a 20-year employee of the state Transportation Department, organized the rally.

"We need to stand up and let the governor know we have legitimate gripes," Nash said.

The State of Nevada Employees Association, the largest union of state workers with about 4,000 members, plans to ask the Legislature for a 5 percent raise next year and 3 percent the following year. Nash said his group has not decided on any figure yet.

Nash said he has invited representatives of the employees association to appear, but there were no officers present. He said he was not going to "bash" the union but added, "A lot of people are unhappy with SNEA." He is not a member of the association.

The name of Nash's newly formed organization is S.U.C.C.E.S.S., Seeking Upward Competitive Compensation for Excellence in State Service.

Nash and his backers are distributing questionnaires to state workers asking for their priorities.