State workers seeking bigger raises

Monday, Dec. 13, 2004 | 10:55 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- After receiving only a 2 percent cost-of-living raise in the past two years, the state employees' union is going to push for a 5 percent raise in each of the next two fiscal years.

As the governor's office prepares the budget proposal, other unions are planning to ask for a raise as well.

An organization that represents the faculty of the University and Community College System is endorsing the suggestion of the Board of Regents to boost pay slightly more than 3 percent during each of the coming two fiscal years.

The state Board of Education has asked Gov. Kenny Guinn to raise the pay of schoolteachers and other school personnel by 3 percent in each of the next two fiscal years.

Scott MacKenzie, executive director of the State of Nevada Employees Association, said he met with Guinn's staff Thursday and was told the governor was trying to figure out a way to give pay raises. MacKenzie was expecting to meet with the governor today.

The association also backs a plan by the state Public Employees Benefit Program to restore some of the reductions made in benefits in the state's health plan.

Forrest Thorne, executive director of the health insurance system, said its board of directors has recommended in its budget that the vision, dental and wellness benefits be raised. And he said the board has suggested the deductibles be lowered.

Thorne said the deductible for the base plan was raised from $250 to $500 a few years ago. He said the board then adopted optional deductibles of $1,000 and $1,500. The financial condition of the insurance system has been restored after running in the red.

Thorne said the governor has not made a decision yet on the recommendations of the board.

MacKenzie said his group also wants to see a continuation of the study toward combining all public employees in Nevada -- state, local governments and school districts -- under a single insurance plan that could lower the cost.

The 2003 Legislature authorized a study but it is expected to take six years before the wheels are set in motion for a combined system.

Jim Richardson, a representative of the faculty alliance, said he was hopeful the governor could find money to provide cost of living increases. He said he has a meeting Wednesday with Guinn to outline the request.

Guinn said last week his top two priorities were pumping more money into the "rainy day" fund to meet emergencies and to provide more money for public schools in grades 1-6 to help those students pass the achievement examinations.

"If we would have had that money, I would have said 'yes'th" to pay raises for the public employees. He added, "I hate to say no."

In this fiscal year, it costs an estimated $26.5 million for each one percent pay raise.

The public employees received a 2 percent cost of living last July 1. But they did not get any increase on July 1, 2003.

That $26.5 million would be higher in the coming years because there will be more schoolteachers, professors and state workers because of the growth in Nevada.