Labor leaders representing state workers are calling on policymakers to approve a measure that would give employees a pay raise. The ask comes as one in five jobs at the state remain vacant.
Under Senate Bill 440, some state employees would get a two percent pay raise for the current fiscal year.
The measure has received support from both Republican and Democratic leaders, but the measure has stalled in recent weeks as policymakers hash out a state budget.
Harry Schiffman is the president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 4041. He said many state workers are still recovering from cuts made during the Great Recession in 2009.
"Nevada state employees continued to provide the vital services our state needed to get through and recover from the COVID pandemic. Our community needed us and we were there. Now, we are asking our state's leaders, our state elected leaders to show up for Nevadas and state employees," he said.
Labor leaders are also calling on lawmakers to approve legislation that would increase the state's contribution to employees' retirement accounts.
Currently, only some public workers in Nevada are able to collectively bargain with the government. They include certain behavioral health professionals and state police.
