Labor, business groups back collective bargaining reform bill

CARSON CITY — Labor and business groups coalesced Monday around a bill pushed by Senate Majority Leader Michael Roberson to reform collective bargaining laws.

Roberson, R-Henderson, said Senate Bill 241 represents a consensus of various interest groups to rein in collective bargaining and make important changes to a system under increased criticism this legislative session.

Among other things, the bill would allow a government employer to provide leave to employees for union work, provided labor organizations bear the costs.

“I think that’s common sense,” Roberson told members of the Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee, which took no action on the bill.

It also addresses so-called “evergreen” clauses in contracts that extend provisions until a new contract is negotiated. Under the bill, a local government cannot increase any compensation or benefits until a new contract is approved.

Other provisions deal specifically with public school officials.

“The purpose of this is to provide more accountability,” Roberson said, noting Gov. Brian Sandoval is proposing hundreds of millions of dollars in increased education funding.

“I believe there needs to be accountability tied to that money,” Roberson said.

Under the bill, which has already passed the Senate, school administrators with salaries of $120,000 or more are barred from collective bargaining units.

Additionally, school principals would be considered “at will” employees for the first three years in the position, and would be placed back on probation if for two years in a row a school’s rating drops and at least half the teachers request transfers to other schools.

Other top administrators would be required to reapply for their jobs every five years.

“This is about making sure that you’re doing your job,” Roberson said. “Every five years your superintendent has to believe you’re doing a good job to stay in that position.”

The bill was supported by education groups, firefighter unions, chambers of commerce and police union representatives.

Republicans in control of both the Senate and Assembly have considered several bills seeking to overhaul collective bargaining and union influence on local government coffers.

Labor representatives who testified Monday said given the political realities of the 2015 session, SB241 is fair and acceptable.

“We believe the changes that apply to us in SB241 are reasonable,” said Rusty McAllister, representing Professional Fire Fighters of Nevada.

Ron Dreher, representing various law enforcement groups as well as the Washoe School Principals’ Association, also testified in support.

He said there were some provisions in the bill that concerned some members of his organizations “but they can live with that.”

Contact Sandra Chereb at schereb@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3901. Find her on Twitter: @SandraChereb.