Sun editorial:

Time for good faith

County firefighters’ union should agree to negotiate as recession balloons budget deficit

Friday, April 24, 2009 | 2:09 a.m.

Aware that governments at all levels are facing severe budgetary problems because of the recession, many unions representing public employees in Nevada and across the country have been making concessions this year.

The Las Vegas Police Protective Association, which represents 2,500 police officers, agreed to forgo a 3 percent cost-of-living increase that would have taken effect July 1.

The Service Employees International Union, which represents 9,500 employees of Clark County, agreed to trim a scheduled cost-of-living increase from 3 percent to 1 percent and cap merit increases at 4 percent instead of 5 percent.

Such gestures are saving taxpayers millions of dollars in addition to saving public sector jobs, which, without the concessions, could have been in jeopardy.

But as a story Thursday by Las Vegas Sun reporter Joe Schoenmann pointed out, it is getting late in the budget year and Clark County is not even close to getting a wage or benefit concession from the International Association of Firefighters Local 1908 — a union representing approximately 770 firefighters.

The local’s president, Ryan Beaman, has instead sent a letter to county administrators suggesting a variety of cuts that would affect the fire department’s management as well as county management. Notably absent was any offer to negotiate over firefighters’ benefits or the 3 percent cost-of-living raise the firefighters are scheduled to receive July 1.

Beaman’s cost-saving suggestions are rightfully being reviewed by County Manager Virginia Valentine, who called them “thorough and thoughtful.” But Beaman was wrong to say his suggestions are sufficient. The county anticipates a budget shortfall of $70 million to $80 million and needs earnest cooperation from the union as it tries to save jobs and services even as the recession worsens.

County firefighters were paid $14.5 million in overtime last year. The union could offer to work on cutting that back, or to take a 2 percent rather than a 3 percent raise. Whatever Beaman might offer, he should start negotiating in good faith.

Discussion: 6 comments so far…

By neiman1

4/24/09 at 2:58 a.m.

Suggest removal

Put Fire Protection out to bid and let a contractor take over the department. Let these guys go find work where they are more appreciated and lets balance some budgets without the primadonnas.
By Future

4/24/09 at 5:27 a.m.

Suggest removal

LOL

The LV Sun asking the Union to be responsible.

Unions run the county and they do not have to give up anything
By martel3

4/24/09 at 8:16 a.m.

Suggest removal

Here's an idea..fire fighters spend 24 hours on duty and most of that time is spent sitting around the fire house waiting for a call. Why not put these prima donnas out doing construction projects for the county and charitable organizations when they are not actively engaged in fighting a fire. Most of them have side jobs doing construction work. If we are going to pay them big bucks...let's get all we can out of them instead of letting them sit around on our dime eating and planning what jobs they will take on their numerous days off. I'd love to have a job where I work 9 days a month and make over $100,000.00 per year.
By neiman1

4/24/09 at 9:26 a.m.

Suggest removal

Where is all the good work from groups like ACORN. These people had thousands in the streets to win an election but somehow disappeared when people need help. Why aren't these Community Organizations out helping the people of Las Vegas?
By williamtomany1

4/24/09 at 11:15 a.m.

Suggest removal

Working nine days a month and making 100 k is outrageous
By getalife

4/24/09 at 11:41 a.m.

Suggest removal

This is all smoke and mirrors. The Union has negotiated "minimum staffing". They could reduce the COLA to zero and the firefighters would still come out on top, thanks to overtime and minimum staffing.

If you argue against them they start saying things like; "if your house catches on fire" and "if you need EMS" we might be too busy to help.

Too busy alright, watching TV and collecting money from part-time jobs. Come to think of it these prima-donna's need the COLA, with the economy in the tank their part/full time construction jobs have probably dried up and they have no way to pay for all the toys and big trucks they all seem to have.