State labor, maintenance and custodial workers will now be represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), becoming the fourth group of state employees authorized to negotiate labor contracts since Nevada enacted its collective bargaining law.

The bargaining unit of Local 4041 includes a variety of occupations including highway maintenance workers, HVAC specialists, plumbers, electricians, food service workers, grounds maintenance workers, locksmiths and landscapers, announced Wednesday it was certified with the Government Employee-Management Relations Board of the State of Nevada.

“We’ve been fighting for state employees as AFSCME for decades and are excited to negotiate our first contract with the state as AFSCME,” Harry Schiffman, an electrician at UNLV and president of AFSCME Local 4041, said in a statement. “Having a voice on the job means we will have the respect on the job we deserve, and the resources to do our jobs safely and efficiently.”

Gov. Steve Sisolak signed legislation last session that allows state employees to collectively bargain for wages and employee benefits.

Since the law has gone into effect, correctional officers and mental and behavioral health service workers have also been certified to negotiate contracts with the state.