The Las Vegas Police Protective Association (PPA) initially urged its members to consider a work stoppage in response to increased retirement contribution rates impacting their take-home pay. However, due to concerns about potential disciplinary actions from supervisors, including threats of termination, the union has advised officers to continue working while it negotiates with the department for better pay terms. The union president, Steve Grammas, emphasized the decision was made to protect officers from retaliation and to address the pay cut through expanded contract negotiations.
The increase in Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) contributions, which takes effect this month, raises the combined employee and employer contribution rate for police and fire employees to 58.75% of gross pay. This change is occurring alongside a 2.6% cost-of-living adjustment, resulting in a 2% net decrease in officers’ take-home pay. Nevada law mandates that the contribution rate increase be split equally between employees and employers.
Despite the union’s initial consideration of a strike, Nevada law prohibits public employees, including police officers, from engaging in work stoppages, considering their services essential. Legal consequences for organizing or participating in an illegal strike include substantial fines and potential imprisonment for union leaders, as well as penalties for participating employees. The current collective bargaining agreement, set to expire in 2026, requires shared contribution increases, and city officials, including Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley, have highlighted budgetary constraints preventing the city from absorbing these additional costs. The union is now focused on negotiating terms that would alleviate the financial burden on officers without contravening existing legal frameworks.