County union pitches cost savings to avoid layoff
The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) local in Clark County, Nevada suggested Tuesday that the county siphon money from a capital improvement projects fund to save jobs and services. SEIU urges county leaders to be more creative about cost-cutting, and postpone some construction projects in order to pay more attention to services for the elderly, children, and the impoverished (and to save county service jobs). Local President Al Martinez feels confident that money from the fund would cover the $9 million social services budget deficit as well as the $4.6 million family services shortfall. County leaders are not so sure, however. Commissioners feel the numbers might not be accurate and have asked for an audit of the fund. They also remind the union that putting off projects like sewer and road maintenance can quickly become a slippery slope.
See "County union pitches cost savings to avoid layoff", Jeff Pope, Las Vegas Sun, August 18, 2009