Deal reached on recorder’s office pay standards

Adrienne Packer

Monday, Oct. 16, 2000 | 11:45 a.m.

Months after giving up on negotiations with the Clark County recorder's office, union representatives reached a long-awaited settlement agreement on the division's merit pay standards.

Human Resources officials called a meeting between Recorder Judith Vandever and representatives of the Service Employees International Union after Clark County commissioners asked for a thorough review of the recorder's office Oct. 3.

Union representative Maryanne Dawicki said because no merit pay standards -- including attendance policies and performance requirements -- existed in the office, employees were arbitrarily denied salary adjustments.

Vandever agreed last week to pay those employees retroactively.

"We were pleased to come to the table with the recorder to resolve those outstanding issues," Dawicki said. "We expect the discussion to open the doors to meetings about mandatory overtime."

Employees in the recorder's office have been required to work 16 hours overtime each pay period to keep up with the thousands of documents submitted each day. The recorder's office is responsible for documenting public records including deeds and marriage licenses.

Some 60 staff members have been fired, quit or transferred out of the department since Vandever took office six years ago. Morale in the division was so low former employees and existing staff began complaining to Clark County commissioners.

Commissioners were told during their Oct. 3 meeting they can do little about the division because Vandever is an elected official. Vandever only answers to voters.

Dawicki said since the office turmoil became public, union officials have been more successful in its negotiations.

"I think it's very important that Judy has sent a message she wants to negotiate these issues," Dawicki said.