Friday, July 1, 2011 | 8:53 p.m.
CARSON CITY — In a 2-1 decision Friday, the Nevada Supreme Court ordered Clark County District Judge Jerry Wiese to consider additional factors in determining whether union workers must be used in the rehabilitation of the Clark County Detention Center north tower.
The court said Wiese failed to review such things as the Clark County labor market and economic conditions when he ruled in favor of the Southern Nevada Building & Construction Trades Council.
Clark County required the winning contractor to enter into a project labor agreement to hire union workers and pay union wages and benefits.
The Associated Builders & Contractors of Southern Nevada sued to invalidate that requirement.
The court said the additional factors must be considered to determine if a project labor agreement “at this time serves the taxpayers’ interest.”
Justices Mark Gibbons and James Hardesty said there is no record of what was considered in the decision by Wiese to uphold the agreement that favored the unions.
The justices said Clark County and Wiese “must make findings, supported by evidence in the record that the Project Labor Agreement will promote economic benefit to the taxpayers.”
Justice Michael Cherry supported the decision of Judge Wiese. “I respectfully dissent from the majority and would let the public works project begin with all deliberate speed,” he said.
The contractors in their suit said there was a lack of evidence presented in the District Court that the union requirement would save taxpayer money.
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