Charlotte Firefighters asking for pay increase comparable to police

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Charlotte firefighters say a proposed gap in a pay increase will make recruitment and retention harder in the department.

Jordan Hood is one of hundreds of firefighters disappointed to hear the City Manager’s $4.5 billion dollar budget gives police a 10% raise while giving fire fighters a 7% raise.

“A lot of firefighters do it for the love of the job, but yes, I mean money, money helps,” Hood said.

City Manager Marcus Jones has proposed eliminating the step system for both police and fire which would change the pay structure.

“Some of the topped out members of their specific ranks would would benefit, you know, a lot of the young guys are really taking a hit,” Hood said.

Hood says Charlotte firefighters start off earning less than the national average and factoring in police benefits like take home cars makes the gap even wider.

“We’re not looking for the for the give outs, but we’re looking for the fairness, and just trying to get that message across that we’re equally important,” Hood said.

Hood says the pay gap makes it harder to hire quality staff to keep the city safe.

“It’s not only hurting our staffing levels on a retention position, but it’s also hurting our staffing levels on a recruitment position, because we’re not getting the people that we were years and years ago,” Hood said.

In a statement the FOP, the union that represents police said that this historic pay adjustment proposed for police will help fill the vacancies.

The public can weigh in on the budget next Monday. City Council will make adjustments on May 18th.