CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — Despite union protests, a bevy of bills to weaken collective bargaining and restructure public employee pensions remain on the legislative agenda, including one scheduled for a hearing Wednesday that labor groups call the "Union Armageddon Bill."
With Republicans newly in control of both chambers of the Legislature and the governor's mansion, Democrats lack leverage to stop the proposals.
The "Armageddon" measure, among other things, would prevent collective bargaining agreements from stopping layoffs during a budget crisis and eliminates seniority from being considered in layoffs.
Conservative groups applaud the moves, saying Nevada's existing labor policies are unsustainable and lead to "fiscal calamity."
Union members say the proposed bills will erode the wages of the taxpaying base and aren't reflective of residents' real feelings toward labor.