The Las Vegas police union is surveying its officers on the possibility of striking in response to a forthcoming increase in retirement contribution rates mandated by the Nevada Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). In an email leaked to 8 News Now, the Las Vegas Police Protective Association (LVPPA) outlined the potential actions ahead of the rate hike, which could reduce officers’ take-home pay by over 4 percent.
Steve Grammas, LVPPA president, conveyed the urgency of the situation. “An idea we asked our members, a lot of them have asked us, can we strike? Can we do this?” Grammas told News 3 Las Vegas. He emphasized the significant financial consequences for officers, especially following a period marked by high inflation rates. The union’s options ranged from a July 4 strike to various forms of protest, such as using sick leave or refusing to work post-briefing room.
The planned PERS increase would bring the contribution rate for police and fire department members up to 58.75%, up from 50%, as reported by 8 News Now. This change was decided by the board in November and affects not just the Las Vegas police but also other state employees and the fire department. With the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department employing more than 4,000 sworn officers, the financial impact will be widely felt. Grammas also stressed the need for the city and county to intervene before the planned strike action…