Curtis, Lynnette. (2011, Aug. 5) Police Union

Curtis, Lynnette. (2011, Aug. 5) Police Union talks raise concerns about saving North Las Vegas recreation centers. Las Vegas Review-Journal.

As the nation comes to grip with the budgetary problems associated with a poorly performing economy, and the prospects of better economic days seem a long lost dream, cities all over America are having difficulties with their own financial issues. In the city of North Las Vegas, there is a budgetary issue which directly effect the police department, and the officer's union. Rather than close several recreation centers, the city has asked the police officers to make financial concessions in order to raise the necessary funds. The article "Police union talks raise concerns about saving North Las Vegas recreation centers" described the current situation relating to the negotiations between the police union and the city.

There are actually two unions involved in the negotiations with the city, the 60-member police supervisors union, and the 360 member police officers union. Police supervisors make an average of $150,000 a year, plus over $70,000 in benefits, while the average police officer makes $92,000 a year, plus over $50,000 in benefits. Both unions received raises of 4.25% last year, while the supervisors just received another 4.25% last July 1st. The police officer's union has agreed to give up its raise for this year, but over half of the officers will receive merit increases of between 5% and 7%. Members of both unions are expecting another raise in January of 2012.

The city was hoping to persuade both unions to make significant cuts to close an almost $5 million budget shortfall, one that, if not filled, will force the shutdown of several of the city's recreation centers and the layoff of dozens of employees. While the unions have agreed to some concessions, they have demanded even more economic concessions of their own. While the city currently pays retiring officers for 60% of unused sick leave, the union now wants the city to pay for 100%. This raises a problem of gaining revenue from police union concessions, only to have that money go back to the police officers who gave it up. There is also the union demand that the city continue maintaining "members' current health care plan instead of increasing their premiums." (Curtis) However, the city wants to make the police pay more for their health insurance so they can spend the money on the recreation centers instead.

The city of North Las Vegas spends too much money, and needs to spend less; and therefore a conflict has arisen between the police unions and the city. It is difficult to believe that in a budget for a municipality like North Las Vegas, the situation came down to either asking the police to give up money, or shut down recreation centers for the children. The city has orchestrated this situation to force the police unions to make concessions they would not ordinarily have made. However, when the children's recreation centers are at stake, the police seem selfish and greedy. However, the city must have other places where they can save money, and while a bad economy requires everyone to make sacrifices, it should not be places solely on the shoulders of the police.