North Las Vegas reaches agreement with Teamsters

By Jeff Pope

Published Wednesday, May 20, 2009 | 4:25 p.m.

Updated Wednesday, May 20, 2009 | 8:34 p.m.

The North Las Vegas City Council Wednesday night unanimously approved a contract agreement with Teamsters Local 14, which represents about 1,200 city employees.

The Council also approved renegotiated contracts with the two unions that represent the city's police officers and firefighters.

The city was facing a $16.8 million shortfall in its budget for the 2009-2010 fiscal year, but the deals reduce the city's expenses by a combined $11.3 million.

The city adopted its budget for next year on Tuesday.

The Teamsters rejected the city's first proposal for concessions by a 3-1 margin. But union chief executive officer Gary Mauger said the revised deal was accepted "overwhelmingly."

"It took a long time to get here," he said.

Under the deal, union employees will forgo a 4 percent cost-of-living increase this year but will see a 4.25 percent increase next year. The union employees also will defer their holiday payout and sick leave payback plan for one year.

The city has said it will avoid union layoffs for a year as long as the city can maintain a surplus of 9 percent in its general fund. If the general fund balance dips below that number, the two sides will reopen talks for a new contract.

The contract was extended from its 2011 end date and will now expire in 2014.

The city reached deals with the North Las Vegas Police Officers Association and Association of Firefighters Local 1607 earlier this year.

The firefighters agreed to forgo a 3.5 percent cost-of-living increase this year and defer part of that increase to a time when the economy improves. The deal also cuts firefighter uniform allowances in half and defers for one year a plan in which employees can sell back to the city a portion of their holiday and sick leave.

The Police Officers Association will defer its 4 percent cost-of-living increase until economic conditions improve, defer officers' clothing allowance for six months and defer holiday and sick leave sell-back for the upcoming fiscal year.

Mayor Michael Montandon thanked the unions and employees for helping the city during its economic struggles.

"It'll greatly help the success of the City of North Las Vegas," he said.

The budget-cutting measures approved Wednesday also include a voluntary buyout program for city employees with at least five years of service.

The city will offer one week of salary for each year employed, plus the city would pay full COBRA medical benefits for three months.

The city expects to save $80,000 per employee who participates. City officials estimate between 20 and 79 employees could take the offer, leaving between $1.6 million and $6.32 million in city coffers next year.