LAS VEGAS (FOX5) -
The union representing Las Vegas Metro police officers said talks have stalled to negotiate a new contract with the department.
In a statement released Tuesday, executive director of the Las Vegas Police Protective Association, Chris Collins, said Metro's Fiscal Affairs Committee did not agree with a deal that includes $10 million in cuts to wages and benefits.
"We've been in mediation and discussions for the past several months," Collins said. "We offered to give up longevity pay for new hires which, over the next 30 years, will save a half a billion dollars.
"These are significant concessions, but we've reached an impasse because Metro Fiscal Affairs wants more. Our officers will have given up four years of wage increases, along with significant benefit cuts; there are only so many cuts we can take," Collins added.
The next move appears to be arbitration which is expected to take place in November.
Metro police did not immediately give comment on the contract talks.
The union also remarked on a study that showed officers for Metro were the lowest paid of the three law enforcement agencies in the Valley.
According to a study by Labor Relations Systems, overall compensation for Metro officers is 4.75 percent less than their counterparts in Henderson and North Las Vegas, while nearly 40 percent of them earn nearly 9.5 percent less.
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