Pensacola firefighters demand more money, union negotiates with city

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG) — Firefighters in Pensacola are demanding more money as their union representatives negotiate with city officials.

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City attorneys met with union leaders from I.A.F.F. (International Association of Fire Fighters) Local 707 Monday to continue negotiations on a new three-year contract.

They have reached agreements on everything except wages, News 5 has learned.

Currently, Pensacola firefighters start making $12 per hour — well below the state and national averages.

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Union leaders said that’s why they cannot recruit and retain firefighters. They say in the last two years, they have only had one person outside of the cadet program take a firefighting position.

“For far too long, we’ve been underpaid and we’re not asking to obviously bankrupt the city but we’re asking to get a justifiable salary back for what we do,” Local 707 President Joe McCombs said.

The union is asking for a 10% wage increase in the contract’s first year, an 8% increase in the second year, and 6% in the third year.

They will meet at noon Tuesday to continue negotiations.

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