Collective bargaining for state workers sparks debate

Labor union officials Thursday told the Assembly Government Affairs Committee it's time state workers had collective-bargaining rights.

"This is an issue of fundamental fairness," said AFL-CIO Nevada Director Danny Thompson.

"Every other public employee in the state -- teachers, firemen, police and local governments -- all have this right."

Only one witness spoke against AB65, which would provide state workers with collective bargaining. Sam McMullen, representing the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and the Retail Association of Nevada, said collective bargaining would shift the balance of power unfairly toward the employees and drive up the need for state revenues.

But criticism of his comments by Assemblyman Bob McCleary, D-North Las Vegas, prompted an attempt by Carson City Republican Ron Knecht to try support McMullen. He argued budget growth in the state should be "constrained so that what they don't do is add up everybody's wish list.

"Maybe we need a structural reform that introduces a restraint on budget growth," Knecht said.

That prompted an angry exchange between Knecht and McCleary.

"I respectfully disagree with something my colleague from 'East California' said," said McCleary referring to Knecht's bill draft that would change the state name to "East California" and the state song to "The Tax Man."

"Employees are not a wish list," he said.

"I didn't say that," Knecht snapped.

"OK, let's calm down," said committee Chairman Mark Manendo, D-Las Vegas.

After the meeting, McCleary tried to apologize if he had misinterpreted what Knecht said, but Knecht started to argue with him. Assemblyman Tom Collins, D-Las Vegas, intervened, telling McCleary, "Out of there, Bob."

Knecht said after the meeting he's "not necessarily" against collective bargaining, but budget growth should be capped to prevent it from driving up costs and taxes.

Wally Tarrantino, a lawyer for unions allied with the Teamsters; Gary Wolf representing the Nevada Highway Patrol Association and others urged support for the bill, which cleared the Assembly two years ago only to die in the Senate.

Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins, D-Henderson, also said he supports it. He said he was president of the Henderson Police union for eight years and went through three negotiations -- two on the employees' side and one as management. He is now deputy police chief, but said he still pays his union dues "because I believe in the partnership between labor and management."

Minority Leader Lynn Hettrick, R-Gardnerville, made it clear he opposes giving state workers the power to bargain that all local governments have.

"In all candor, I'd probably eliminate it for cities and counties instead," he said.

Mark Amodei, R-Carson City, said he supported collective bargaining for state workers four years ago, again two years ago and will support it this year.

He, too, said it should get through the Assembly.

"The question is, will it get out of Senate Government Affairs?" he said.

That panel voted down the bill two years ago.

The Assembly committee took no action on AB65.