Nevada State Workers Win Union Vote, Prepare for Contract Negotiations

Milestone for Nevada's State Workers: Unionization Efforts Triumph

In a significant stride for labor rights, more than 3,500 state workers in Nevada have successfully voted to form a union under AFSCME Local 4041. This decisive movement marks a pivotal moment for the administrative and clerical workforce across state agencies and institutions.

"I am proud of my co-workers for coming together to organize our union. As admin assistants, we are the backbone of our offices — nothing happens without us. And we deserve the dignity and respect that comes with having a unified voice on the job,” expressed Maria Behic, an administrative assistant at the Florence McClure Women's Correctional Center in Las Vegas. She added, “We look forward to joining our AFSCME family in building our power in the workplace.”

The new bargaining unit, known as unit B, encompasses a wide range of employees, including administrative assistants, clerks, and other clerical staff within various state entities. Predominantly comprising women, the unit displayed overwhelming support for union representation, with 91% voting in favor of AFSCME as their exclusive representative.

During Women’s History Month in March, these workers initiated their journey toward unionization, aiming for fair compensation, comprehensive benefits, and improved working conditions to better support their families and communities. For more details, visit The Nevada Independent.

Following certification of the election results by the Employee Management Relations Board, the state has 60 days to commence contract negotiations. The employees are now in the process of forming their bargaining team to advocate for salary increases, reduced healthcare costs, enhanced staff recruitment and retention strategies, and equitable paid time off policies.

This recent victory aligns with a growing trend among state workers in Nevada, who have been organizing under AFSCME in recent years. Since gaining collective bargaining rights in 2019, members have achieved significant benefits, including wage hikes, additional personal days, bilingual pay, and a more equitable grievance process. Further information can be found here.