(Michael Chamberlain/Nevada Business Coalition) – The economy is booming, haven’t you noticed? If not, you must not be a member of a government employee union.
The local teachers union, the Clark County Education Association, has awarded its President and Vice President 14% pay raises, from $90,000 to $103,000, according to sources. The raises were included as part of the union’s new budget, which was approved at a meeting last night.
The union currently does not have a contract with the Clark County School District (CCSD). Negotiations have reached an impasse as the two sides have been unable to agree on terms.
The CCSD is requesting pay freezes and increased contributions to health insurance premiums and increased contributions (or at least some contributions) to retirement plans from the teachers. The union is resisting and it’s hard not to see why now. If the teachers have to contribute more for their benefits, they may not have enough left over to afford the raises for their leaders.
This news comes on the heels of reports of the SEIU’s bullying tactics during contract negotiations with Clark County. That union is refusing to even discuss provisions of the contract that allow its members to continue to receive higher pay each year even as they claim to suffer wage “cuts”.
We do have to give the teachers union credit for one thing, though. Unlike most of the other government unions in the area at least their leadership is paid from members’ dues rather than from taxpayer funds. But don’t say that too loud. We don’t want to give them any ideas.
With each new day comes another example that there is no recession in government.