Metro Police union ratifies contract without cost-of-living raises

Monday, April 6, 2009 | 8:10 p.m.

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The Metro Police Department’s uniformed officers have officially agreed to forgo a cost-of-living raise next year.

The Las Vegas Police Protective Association overwhelmingly ratified the contract the union negotiated with Metro that gives up a cost-of-living increase for the fiscal year that begins July 1, Executive Director Chris Collins said. Voting ended Sunday, he said. The union’s existing four-year contract expires on June 30.

“It was the right thing to do in theses times,” Collins said. “I knew the troops would come up and do the right thing."

The union represents 2,700 uniformed Metro officers. About one-third of them voted, which is a high turnout, Collins said. Normally, only 10 percent of the members vote on union contracts, he said.

The one-year contract maintains step increases for officers with less than 10 years on the force, he said. Those increases, which reward experience and increased skill, amount to 4 percent a year.

In addition, he said, health benefits will remain the same in the new contract.

The union and Metro agreed to a one-year contract and will probably continue to do so until the economy turns around, Collins said.

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By rslc_john (JOHN WILSON)

April 7, 2009

10:46 a.m.

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Kudos to Metro officers for making sacrifices - for the good of the community.

But, what is really needed is for Clark County Commissioners to make all employers step up to the plate and pay benefits and pension for all employees.

A great deal of money the county receives from the state is needed to provide services for those who do not have health insurance or pension plans. Why should employers be able to make money off of their workers and then expect government to take care of those very workers when they need health care?

Our economy will not get better if those industries that pay honest wages take pay cuts or refuse pay increases to enrich the lives of those that pay nothing into the system.

Union members should remember anyone can give your money away.. a true union leader will protect what is yours...and sacrifices, although understandable is not today's answer.
By rslc_john (JOHN WILSON)

April 7, 2009

11:06 a.m.

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Every Union leader in Clark County should say "NO" to pay freezes or any decreases until the County Commissioners mandate all employers pays for health benefits.

We have hospitals closing because they can't afford to pay for people who can't pay. And why can't they pay? because they have no insurance. Most have jobs, so why don't they have insurance?. Because their employers say they can't afford to pay... and now they want the county to pay. If union employers can pay... then everyone can pay.

Union leaders could demand that the County leaders make everyone pay for insurance on all employees or union members will say 'NO' to any compromise in union wages or benefits...

It is time to fight for changes that make sense... not for union members to forsake what is theirs in order to pay for employers who refuse to take care of their own workers .