LV council to vote on firefighters’ deal

Dan Kulin

Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2005 | 8:56 a.m.

A four-year contract with the Las Vegas firefighters' union that would come with cost-of-living pay raises from 3 to 4.25 percent each year and increases to city payments toward health insurance is scheduled to be voted on by the Las Vegas City Council on Wednesday.

The proposal would add about $14.8 million to projected city spending during the life of the four-year contract, including $3.75 million during the current fiscal year, according to city documents.

The proposed contract with the International Association of Firefighters Local 1285 is on the council's consent agenda for the Wednesday meeting, which means it is slated to be voted on with 66 other matters all considered routine and not expected to generate any discussion during the meeting.

The union, one of four bargaining units for city employees, counts 572 of Las Vegas Fire & Rescue's 612 employees among its members. The proposed contract would be retroactive to June 19 and last through June 13, 2009.

Councilman Gary Reese said Friday that although he had not yet been briefed on the proposed contract he was pleased to see a resolution coming forward from the negotiations.

"It's got to be a good deal if both the city and the union have agreed to it and are coming forward with it," Reese said.

Changes to the existing contract contained in the proposed contract include: