Athens-Clarke County Firefighters Union Supports New Pay Plan Proposal
Firefighters in Athens-Clarke County are rallying behind a proposed pay plan intended to make their salaries more competitive with neighboring regions. This comes in the wake of a recent meeting where a consultancy presented these recommendations to local government officials.
During a work session on Wednesday, the consulting firm shared its findings with the Athens-Clarke County mayor and commission. This study was part of a collective bargaining agreement aimed at enhancing firefighter wages to match those in surrounding areas.
Emily Alger, who leads the Athens-Clarke County Professional Firefighters Union, remarked at the meeting that union members have experienced a boost in morale since last year’s signing of a collective bargaining agreement with the local government. “We’ve started retaining firefighters,” Alger stated. “We were a whole battalion short when y’all voted this in, and now we’re fully staffed.”
Alger also highlighted the union’s efforts to diversify recruitment by attracting more women and people of color to the department.
The proposed step plan is projected to cost the county an additional $400,000 over its first six months. The Commission plans to cast their votes on this proposal in December.
