STAND WITH TALLAHASSEE FIREFIGHTERS TODAY!
After 100 days without a collective bargaining agreement, your firefighters are sounding the alarm. Learn more about our fight for fairness today!
OUR FIREFIGHTERS BRING HOME THE LOWEST PAY...
Tallahassee Firefighters have the lowest pay of firefighters and first responders in the capital region! They are also among the lowest paid in Florida. While other departments are increasing salaries to compete for fewer firefighters, our City has decided to delay raises for their firefighters for months. While other city employees have received a minimum of 5% increase in pay, the City has demanded that many of our firefighters take half of that.
Please continue to see how YOU can help!
IN THE BIG BEND
Wakulla
Gadsden
Perry
Jefferson
Madison
Suwannee
Tallahassee
$46,155
$52,000
$51,123
$47,250
$45,474
$49,569
$44,729
ACROSS THE STATE
Ft. Lauderdale
Orlando
South Walton
Cape Coral
Hillsborough
Tampa
Boynton Beach
St. Petersburg
Gainesville
Tallahassee
$64,896
$57,175
$55,753
$55,635
$55,386
$55,186
$53,761
$52,294
$49,291
$44,729
HOW WE COMPARE
HERE'S THE SIZE UP...
100 days without an agreement and counting
-
Firefighters began bargaining nearly one year ago and have met 20 times with the City Manager's negotiating team and still no agreement.
-
If a resolution is not reached soon our fate will be in the hands of a Special Magistrate, costing tax payers thousands in legal fees. Money which should be spent funding public safety.
-
With no contract, firefighters are uncertain if they will have a living wage to make ends meet and are having to consider seeking employment with other nearby departments or leave the profession they love.
-
The City has raised YOUR fire service fee twice in the last couple years, yet we spend less of our budget on Payroll than any of our comparative departments!
-
Firefighters have already been "moving to the exits." With other departments paying far higher, multiple firefighters have left in the last few months including 3 last month.
HERE'S WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR
A LIVING WAGE
Over the last few years, our firefighters' salaries have NOT kept up with inflation or with what other departments are paying in order to compete for scarce firefighters. We have asked the City to address all of our salaries in a competitive way that is fair considering what they have paid other City employees this year. IF we continue losing firefighters at an alarming rate, the citizen's fire protection WILL be in jeopardy along with the safety of those still here on the job.
FAIR TREATMENT
Our City knows they need to address starting firefighter pay to compete with other departments in hiring. However, they are attempting to do so by forcing half the department to take less pay increase than any other city employee this year, attempting to solve the City's problem on the backs of the firefighters.
FIREFIGHTER WELLNESS
Improving health and safety of firefighters through wellness initiatives. Helping to change the culture with measures to reduce nicotine use. Since the State of Florida provided benefits to firefighters diagnosed with forms of occupational cancer our firefighters are taking new steps to remain cancer free so that we can serve our communities longer.
Current Offers On 1 Year Agreement
Current City Proposal
Raises
Firefighter Rank 4%
Engineer Rank 1.5%
Lieutenant Rank 0%
Captain Rank 0%
Battalion Chief Rank 0%
Other Benefits
Increased Bonus/Supplement $500/yr
(for Firefighters and Engineers only)
Pension Contribution Decrease 2.5%
Current IAFF Proposal
Raises
Firefighter Rank 6%
Engineer Rank 4.25%
Lieutenant Rank 2.75%
Captain Rank 1.75%
Battalion Chief Rank 1.75%
Other Benefits
DECREASED Bonus/Supplement (-$500/yr)
(for Firefighters and Engineers only)
Pension Contribution Decrease 4.25%
3 WAYS YOU CAN HELP US
Tallahassee Firefighters need your help. We've met with our city elected and appointed officials many times during the last year but now we need your voice. This is your community and your fire department too. Here's three simple ways you can stand with our Tallahassee Firefighters.
#1
CONTACT CITY HALL
Email the Commissioners
The Mayor and City Commissioners have the final say in our fight for fair pay. Use the easy form below to send each of them an email to let them know you support an equitable wage for your firefighters.
Remind them that they are responsible to ensure your families services for Fire, Medical and more!
STAND WITH OTHERS
Sign Our Petition
Stand with others in our community and add your name to the growing list of those who support OUR FIREFIGHTERS! Our petition to City Hall to be treated like other employees and other firefighters is being signed by your friends and neighbors across our community. Add Yours Today!
#3
#2
CONTACT CITY OFFICIALS
We urge you to use the Email Form above to contact the Mayor and Commissioners, but if you prefer to call speak up on our behalf, their respective phone numbers are:
City Manager's Office - 850-891-8200
Mayor's Office - 850-891-2000
Commissioner Richardson - 850-891-8181
Commissioner William's-Cox - 850-891-8502
Commissioner Porter - 850-891-8191
Commissioner Matlow - 850-891-8188
#STANDWITHFIREFIGHTERS
WHAT THE COMMUNITY IS SAYING...
Sue
"I cannot believe that these essential first responders in this time of pandemic are not getting the maximum support from the city. Please accept the very reasonable demands and do not spend tax payer money wasting more time"
Rick
“I support the need for firefighters to have equitable wages. They provide an invaluable service to the community. It is important the we provide them with the appropriate wages necessary to insure quality workers. But most importantly they should have equitable wages because it is the RIGHT thing to do. Please do the right thing and increase wages”
Jeff
"I'm not from Tallahassee, but spent 6 months shooting video of TFD for the show "Live Rescue, and wanted to share my perspective as someone that has embedded with first responders all over the country. The TFD FFs are an extremely professional group of civil servants. While I was with them they showed compassion and bravery on every call. There wasn't a single individual in the entire TFD that didn't measure up to what they were being asked to do every day. As someone who has seen the inner workings of many first responders across the country, I can say that TFD does more with less than most and the COT should consider itself lucky to have such good natured people working in its fire department. They deserve fair compensation"
Tonya
"Please recognize that our firefighters need fair wages. When everyone runs away from emergencies, our firefighters run towards and into fires to rescue our community members. They place their lives in danger to help us. They are educated and trained in this specialty and maintain continuing education. Our firefighters deserve to be paid a fair wage. Please show them your appreciation by treating them well. We need them. Many Thanks"
Joe
“I support the need for firefighters to have equitable wages. They provide an invaluable service to the community. Please do the right thing and increase wages”
