After firefighters and cops in Raleigh received a pay increase, the city has proposed cuts to their holiday pay and vacation benefits.
The News Observer reports that holiday pay for firefighters and police officers who work 12-hour shifts during holidays will only get holiday pay for eight of the 12 hours. The way responders will receive vacation will also change in the proposal.
“The holiday pay was the biggest concern,” N.C. Police Benevolent Association Raleigh chapter Vice President Jamie Rigsbee said. “To expect police officers and firefighters to work at the regular rate of pay is not fair. Eight hours is eight hours, 10 hours is 10 hours, 12 hours is 12 hours. We are not asking for anything more. Just maintain the current level of benefits. If you do the work, you should be compensated for it.”
Lt. Ian Griffin, who is with the Raleigh Firefighters United, said the changes came from a Sept. 5 council meeting when the city looked to change policies that have been in place since 1984.
“In our opinion, the city tried to pull a fast one,” Griffin said.
Wake County Republican Party Chairman Charles Hellwig called the decision a "debacle."
“It is incomprehensible that the Raleigh City Council would hose our firefighters and police like this,” Hellwig said in a statement.
“You’ve heard the old saying, ‘robbing Peter to pay Paul?’” asked Rigsbee. “This was robbing Peter to pay Peter. They are saving money on the money they just gave us.”
