Generous perk

Speaking of the firefighter contract, Review-Journal reporter Scott Wyland wrote this week that the county’s current deal with the firefighters not only gives disabled firefighters up to a year to recover, workers’ compensation and the right to cash in up to 2,400 hours of accrued sick leave, but two years of severance pay as well, which can easily amount to $300,000 to $500,000.

About five Clark County firefighters each year wind up with chronic ailments, such as heart failure and back injuries, that qualify them for disability retirement.

In 2010 alone this perk cost the cash-strapped county $1.4 million. A lovely parting gift to be sure, one not afforded police or other unionized county employees, nor the firefighters of Henderson or Las Vegas. The benefit is available to all firefighters covered by the contract, even those with less physically dangerous jobs, such as inspectors and trainers.

Commissioner Steve Sisolak broached the fairness issue, saying, “I’m a big believer in treating everyone fairly. No one gets anything close to this.” He went on to say he was puzzled by the disparity in benefits between firefighters and police, who also have physically demanding jobs.

Unfortunately, few people know whether this perk is even being discussed during the current secret contract talks. Mr. Sisolak explained that the county commissioners, who must eventually use taxpayer money to pay the terms of the contract, are completely shut out of all such labor talks.

It is not merely a matter of fairness to other workers, but the taxpayers, none of whom qualify for such generous payments.