Police officers say they have no strike plans

The North Las Vegas Police Officers Association at no time has advocated a strike as a tool in resolving its contract dispute with the city of North Las Vegas, officials said.

And City Attorney Richard Maurer confirmed Thursday the city has given the union a proposal concerning the contract that expired June 30.

While some police and detention officers have mentioned the possibility of picketing, David Galyen, president of the POA, said he has never suggested that the association would strike over its lack of a contract.

"North Las Vegas Police officers don't strike," he said. "We have a commitment to serve the community, and we're going to live up to our commitment."

Nevada law prohibits public employees from striking.

The association had negotiated a contract with the city that gave the officers a 4 percent raise, and both parties agreed to the contract on June 18, according Galyen.

The City Council voted 4-1 to deny the contract Aug. 5 because the city had budgeted a 3.5 percent increase for the officers' contract, Galyen said.

The POA made its last, best offer to the city Oct. 22 and had not heard from the city until now, according to Galyen.

The state Local Government Employee-Management Relations Board earlier this month denied the city's motions to dismiss or clarify the complaint filed by the association against the city for not approving the police and detention officers' contract.

The complaint, filed by the association Dec. 1, alleges that the city acted in bad faith in negotiations with the union over the contract.

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