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December 16, 2005
LABOR STRIFE Union, town at impasseFIRE RESCUE'S PRESIDENT TIM GOLD CLAIMS RICHARDS MISLED THE PAHRUMP TOWN BOARD
By GINA B. GOOD
Negotiations between Pahrump officials and the International Association of Fire Fighters began in February to avoid just the situation the town now faces - paying thousands of dollars to negotiate a settlement. Town Manager Dave Richards placed an item on Tuesday night's town board agenda to hire professionals to negotiate with the firefighters' union, IAFF Local 4068. The first sentence of Richard's agenda request stated: " ...negotiations with the firefighters stalled after the resignation of the town's attorney and lead negotiator." The statement rankled local Union President Tim Gold, who heads Pahrump's negotiating team of three firefighters. He said the town manager abruptly ended negotiations while the firefighters were still willing to talk. Multiple requests for comment from the PVT were left on the town manager's office voice mail. They were not returned. "It really pains me to talk about this issue," Gold said during the three minutes allowed for public comment at Tuesday's meeting. "This is a breach of negotiation ground rules," he said, referring to the fact that during negotiations neither side is at liberty to reveal anything that happens during their confidential meetings. However, Gold said that since the town manager had made the negotiations a public issue, he was allowed to speak out publicly. Gold alleged the negotiations did not stall after the resignation of prior town attorney Christina Hinds, as was stated in the agenda item. "On July 6 of 2005, the town manager terminated negotiations and said he wanted to go to arbitration," Gold said. "Christina Hinds resigned on August 9. "It is appalling that Mr. Richards ask the board (to hire consultants) under the guise of such a deceitfully stated need," said Gold. "I am the chief negotiator for the union. I have no training (in negotiation)." Gold asked the board members to consider that the information contained in the agenda item was not accurate before they voted to spend the town's money. However, the four board members in attendance unanimously voted to hire the recommended consulting firm. After the meeting, Gold said: "I guess I'm flattered the town feels they have to hire a group of lawyers and accountants to negotiate with me. "If the town manager had asked the board to hire help because the negotiations were way out of his league, I wouldn't have said anything," said the firefighter. "The town manager blatantly lied to the town board. The members of the board are supposed to make their decision based on what is on the agenda," explained Gold. "The truth of the matter is the negotiations are beyond the town manager's capability." When asked if the IAFF would also hire negotiators, Gold replied, "Absolutely not. We have never paid a negotiator and it is our intent not to (do so). Our intent is to make things better for ourselves, not spend money needlessly." The board voted to hire Larry Beller & Associates - a firm with long standing ties to Nye County - at $125 per hour plus travel expenses with a fee of $250 per meeting. However, there is no estimate as to what the total amount would be to complete negotiations with the firefighter's union, an affair that could last months. When town attorney Len Smith was asked during the meeting how much the consultants were likely to cost the taxpayers of Pahrump, he commented, "You will spend an arm and a leg." However, Smith favored the expenditure. "There is just no way to do this and be cost effective unless you are going to do it yourself and that is really, really dumb." The attorney added that the town would "spend an enormous amount of money to reach an agreement to spend an enormous amount of money." |
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