State mental health workers facing 5 percent cut in pay

Monday, Jan. 21, 2002 | 9:24 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- About 150 employees in the state Division of Mental Health and Developmental Services who deal with dangerous and hostile patients are facing a 5 percent pay cut on March 4.

"This isn't fair," said Ronald Strickland, a clinical social worker for the state assigned to provide services to inmates at the Clark County jail in Las Vegas. "They give us 8 percent (in a pay raise over two years) and then they take away 5 percent."

The workers are losing a 5 percent bonus called "assaultive pay," given to those who work in dangerous positions, Carlos Brandenburg, administrator of the division, said.

The state's prisons eliminated the assaultive pay for clinical social workers, psychologists and nurses in 1999, Brandenburg said. The change is just equalizing pay for the same jobs in different state divisions, he said.

Division administrators decide which jobs qualify for assaultive pay.

The reduction will take place at the mental hospitals and mental retardation centers in Las Vegas and Reno, Lake's Crossing in Reno and for those state clinical workers assigned to the city jail in Las Vegas and the Clark County jail.

Dealing with inmates who act out sometimes is part of the job, and the employees should not receive anything extra, Brandenberg said.

The administrator said he has received about 20 grievances from employees complaining about the cut. He will rule on them.

Employees can appeal his decision to Mike Willden, director of the state Department of Human Resources. If they lose there, the workers can present their case to the Employees Management Relations Board.

Workers deserve this extra allowance, said Strickland, who has been speaking for the employees.

Some inmates spit on workers, physically attack them and throw things at the employees, Strickland said.

"I've been threatened," he said, adding that an officer at the jail had to restrain the inmate.

He said he hopes the state of Nevada Employees Association gets involved in the case.

He said Brandenburg tried to cut the pay before by reclassifying the workers, but that attempt was blocked by the state Personnel Commission. Brandenburg does not need permission to end assaultive pay.