North Las Vegas, police supervisors union reach deal

By Aida Ahmed

Monday, Aug. 29, 2011 | 6:28 p.m.

A deal to help save recreation centers in North Las Vegas was approved Monday by the city and the Police Supervisors Association.

The agreement will save the city $378,000 this year, which is only a portion of the $1.5 million it would take to keep the recreation centers and pools open. The city will continue looking to cut costs elsewhere in its budget.

Under the four-year deal, the police supervisors union agrees to a 4.25 percent pay cut and will give back a 4.25 percent cost-of-living adjustment members received in July. Union members agree to give up future cost-of-living adjustments through January 2014 and a freeze of holiday pay sell-back.

As part of the negotiation, the city promises the union 40 hours of annual leave to be used within a year and 100 percent sick leave payout for PSA members after 10 years of service. The city also guarantees that the North Las Vegas Detention Center won’t be privatized through June 2015.

The deal will save the city $3.9 million over four years.

Councilwoman Anita Wood was critical of the deal, saying the PSA agreement would create dissention among coworkers in the city.

“I will support it because it’s what the city needs, but I have some concerns about this contract,” Wood said. “While Teamsters are taking three weeks of vacation without pay, we’re now giving the PSA 40 hours of annual paid leave. I am deeply concerned with where we go with the future of this when we approve this.”

PSA President Leonard Cardinale told the council it should create a plan, other than concession agreements, to save the city money in the future.

“We feel like we did our part and police supervisors gave about as much as any association,” Cardinale said.

The City Council voted earlier this month to lay off 21 city employees, nine of them in the Parks and Recreation Department, to save $4.4 million and balance the 2012 budget.

Acting Finance Director Al Noyola said the city needs $1 million to staff the community centers and $500,000 for maintenance and temporary staffing.

The city is still in concession negotiations with the 350-member Police Officers Association to save the remaining money needed to keep the community centers open.