Police labor pact goes to arbitration

J. Craig Anderson

Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2005 | 8:40 a.m.

Local officials involved in a dispute over future Metro Police pay will forego the kinder, gentler fact-finding process in favor of binding arbitration, to begin in early January.

The Metro Fiscal Affairs Committee voted 5-0 in a closed session Monday to move directly to arbitration in which a legal professional will review evidence regarding a proposed four-year police contract and render a decision much like a judge would.

"Fact-finding makes sense if people want to continue to talk, but it seems like people are entrenched in their positions, and it's time to move on," said Clark County Commission Chairman Rory Reid, who recently replaced Commissioner Tom Collins on the fiscal affairs panel.

County officials said the arbitrator will hear testimony and review the facts during a five-day period in January.

After that, police management and the Metro Police Protective Association -- the union representing rank-and-file officers -- will each have 30 days to submit a contract proposal that includes guidelines for police pay and benefit increases.

The arbitrator can decide in favor of either proposal or a combination of the two. A decision is expected in February or March, officials said.

J. Craig Anderson can be reached at 295-2320 or at craig@lasvegassun.com.