Union concessions split county commission, firefighters

By Joe Schoenmann

Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009 | 4:41 p.m.

Having been swamped with angry e-mails and phone calls from firefighters, Commissioner Steve Sisolak took an unusual step during the Clark County Commission meeting Tuesday afternoon. Just before the commission was to go into closed session to discuss what Sisolak believes are “non-concessions” offered by the firefighter’s union, he asked to hold the meeting in public.

“I’ve been getting beaten up because I don’t think people in the public know what has been suggested and I want to make it clear,” Sisolak said.

The county has sought concessions from its public employee unions because of a deficit resulting from low property tax revenues and legislative action that took $180 million in operational and capital funds over the next two years.

With concessions from other unions, such as police and service employees, the county has already saved about $20 million.

From the firefighters, county administrators and Sisolak say they haven’t seen any concessions. The union’s 700 firefighters reportedly approved a deal in which they would give up 1 percent of a 3 percent raise, but then would get two “professional days” extra per year in exchange.

The union also offered to give up the construction of $4 million in security fencing, but the county said that is no concession because the fencing money is specially designated for fire department projects. If not spent for the fence, it would stay with the fire department and could not be spent on other needy county departments.

The county also said the 1 percent concession, which amounts to savings of about $1.2 million, is no concession as well, because the professional days off cancel out any savings from the 1 percent decrease.

So commissioners talked about what they wanted from the union.

“No extra days off,” Sisolak said.

They also said the $4 million is off the table, agreeing that it is not a concession.

Now Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani will take that directive -- no professional days and the fence isn't a concession -- back to the firefighter’s union President Ryan Beaman.

If the firefighters don't change their offer, the commissioners agreed it could make negotiations for a new contract tougher when the two sides convene talks in February.

Sisolak said he wanted the meeting in the open to make clear to the public what has been offered. He said he has gotten threats from people who have told him that he “better hope my house doesn’t catch fire,” and from people who say they are firefighters but they are now embarrassed to wear their uniforms in public because the union hasn’t agreed to any concessions.