By Joe Schoenmann (contact) <\/p>\n
Friday, March 23, 2012 | 4:04 p.m. <\/p>\n
Future hires by the Clark County Fire Department will not be eligible for longevity pay, an incentive used to keep employees from leaving their job for other opportunities. <\/p>\n
In addition, a contract worked out between the firefighters union and Clark County management calls for a wage freeze for the next two years. The contract must be ratified by the Clark County Commission before it can take effect. <\/p>\n
The three-year contract, which will run from July 1 through June 2015, allows the salary schedule to be opened for negotiation in the third year. <\/p>\n
County administrators estimate the longevity concession will save $60 million over the next 25 years. <\/p>\n
\"The local 1908 has come to the table and demonstrated a sincere willingness to address the short- and long-term financial issues the county faces, Assistant County Manager Ed Finger said. There have been some past challenges, but their assistance and partnership is real and deserves recognition.\" <\/p>\n
The quick contract resolution marks a change from two years ago, when negotiations stalled until an independent arbitrator was called in to decide on a contract. Both county administrators and firefighters are looking ahead to 2014, when voters will be allowed to decide if they want to extend a 5.27 cent property tax, per $100, that helps the Fire Department pay capital and operational expenses. <\/p>\n
The County Commission will consider the agreement on the April 17 agenda. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Follow this link: By Joe Schoenmann (contact) Friday, March 23, 2012 | 4:04 p.m. Continue reading
\nTentative county fire pact calls for 2-year pay freeze, end to longevity bonus<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"