Horror!
Clark County management has informed its largest union that employees won’t receive any salary or benefit increases, citing a new state law and contending that the contract between the county and Service Employees International Union Local 1107 has expired.
SEIU Local 1107 President Martin Bassick received the letter late Tuesday from county Human Resources Director Sandy Jeantete. The county’s move is effective June 1, the same day Senate Bill 241 was signed into law by Gov. Brian Sandoval. The new collective bargaining law, brokered by state lawmakers with input from unions, came during the 2015 session as legislators rejected other wider-reaching labor-related bills.
“This seems like it is clearly some sort of political game,” said Brian Shepherd, state director of SEIU Nevada.
He noted he doesn’t believe SB241 is meant to hurt employees.
“To us, it is a little unclear why county HR and county administration is kind of going rogue,” Shepherd said,.
He added that the SEIU is “hoping that the county can show leadership and set the tone on being a model leader.”
It’s the latest move in an increasingly strained relationship between the county and SEIU. Last week, Bassick was ordered to report to work Monday at his county public works job. The county cited SB241, saying it ends the practice of granting paid full-time leave to the union’s president for focusing on the labor organization. Allowing the SEIU local president to be on paid leave is part of the contract between the SEIU and the county.[…]
The new law says local governments are to be reimbursed by labor organizations if employees are on paid leave for union-related duties, or the union must make a concession in negotiations that has equal value. The new law also doesn’t allow pay increases for employees in the bargaining unit if a contract is expired and a new agreement is not effect.