Las Vegas police union considers strike over retirement contribution rate hike impact

By George Acosta

(KSNV) — A potential strike by Las Vegas Metro Police officers looms as a response to a planned increase in state retirement contribution rates, which could reduce officers’ pay by over 4 percent.

Steve Grammas, president of the Las Vegas Police Union, said the increase, approved by the Nevada Public Employees Retirement System board in November, could have significant repercussions.

“Desperate times call for desperate measures, and that is what this is,” Grammas said. “An idea we asked our members, a lot of them have asked us, can we strike? Can we do this?”

The rate hike, set to take effect next month, includes police and fire departments, with an 8.75 percent increase to be split between them. Grammas expressed concern over the financial impact on officers.

“Myself and my team believe that this PERS increase is astronomically high and shouldn’t have taken place,” he said.

Grammas outlined potential actions for union members, including a no-call, no-show strike, a sick call-out, or reporting to work but not engaging in duties until an agreement is reached.

The final option is to accept the pay decrease and hope for future compensation adjustments.

Grammas said he hopes the city and county will intervene before a potential strike on July 4.

Efforts to reach Metro Police, the city, and the county for comment were unsuccessful as offices were closed on Friday.