Clarification sought over marshals’ contract

Sito Negron

Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2003 | 10:07 a.m.

The union representing about 80 Las Vegas marshals is close to asking for a third party to mediate a dispute over the meaning of a recently signed contract.

The contract calls for a boost in entry-level pay from $37,000 to about $42,000 a year. That much the two sides agree upon. They have been unable to agree upon the nature of the raises, however.

The marshals get annual cost-of-living increases as well as "steps," raises meant to reward officers for their experience. The Las Vegas Police Protective Association wants all officers to immediately get an increase similar to the jump in entry-level pay, but to also remain on their step schedule.

The city claims the contract calls for two steps to be taken from the bottom of the pay scale and added to the top, which means current officers would not receive an instant pay boost, but would be eligible for two extra steps if they stay with the department, said Mick Gillins, a Metro Police detective who is negotiating on behalf of the union.

"The goal was to make the group competitive with everybody else in the valley so they weren't losing capable officers, not only in new hires, but officers that are currently marshals," Gillins said.

The raises would accomplish that, he said, but leave officers who have been with the city for three years receiving the same pay as entry-level officers.

"Now it's going to take that guy who has been here for three years 12 years to get to the top of the pay scale, but it will take the new guy only nine years," Gillin said. The veteran, he said, is being "disadvantaged by the mere fact he got hired three years earlier than the guy who (is) hired on tomorrow."

Las Vegas City Manager Doug Selby said the issue is one of interpretation.

"Both sides, when we look at the issue in hindsight, could have done a better job" in making the agreement more clear, Selby said. He said he remains "optimistic that we'll still be able to negotiate and reach some sort of conclusion."

The union has threatened to ask the Local Government Employee-Management Relations Board to settle the matter, but has not yet done so.

According to the city website, "The Deputy City Marshals are responsible for patrolling more than 190 properties citywide and providing law enforcement services for a variety of city-sponsored as well as other special events. In addition, the unit is frequently called upon to conduct special operations aimed at reducing certain criminal activity in specific areas of the city, for example, traffic enforcement in neighborhoods, abatement of illegal solicitors at intersections and the removal of abandoned vehicles.

"The Deputy City Marshals also conduct security and safety evaluations requested by city departments at various facilities, buildings and workplaces."