North Las Vegas firefighters, city reach deal to save 35 jobs

By Aida Ahmed

Monday, July 11, 2011 | 4:16 p.m.

The North Las Vegas firefighters' union came to a tentative agreement with the city Monday to save 35 jobs slated for elimination.

With City Council approval and ratification from members of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1607, the deal would go into effect July 20, city spokeswoman Juliet Casey said.

The deal would keep 35 firefighters from losing their jobs; in return the union has settled on concessions for a 5 percent base salary reduction from Aug. 1, 2011, to Jan. 31, 2012. The reduction would be evenly split among 13 pay periods.

Along with the pay reduction, firefighters would eliminate educational incentives and reimbursements, bilingual incentives, uniform maintenance pay and could reduce regular staffing levels as another method to save money.

“They also agreed to dismiss, with prejudice, district and employee management review board cases against the city,” Casey said.

However, the union may still file action against the city for other reasons.

IAFF Local 1607 President Jeff Hurley said the deal would save the city at least $2 million on top of a $4 million agreement made in May.

“Maintaining staffing was important for the safety of the citizens and the firefighters,” Hurley said. “And it helps the city start healing.”

After January 2012, the union will abide by the terms of concessions from May 2011.