Dozens of Cal firefighters were taking part in a demonstration Monday morning outside state Capitol in Sacramento to protest what they termed as “pay disparities” within the agency.
The protest, scheduled for 11 a.m., was organized by Cal Fire Local 2881, a union which represents about 6,500 Cal Fire personnel.
According to a news release from Local 2881, Cal Fire crewmembers get paid anywhere from 30 to 90 percent less than firefighters from California’s top 25 departments.
“Entry-level firefighters make only minimum wage,” the union stated. “In five years, due to compaction within the Department, they will make as much as mid-level firefighters. The compaction and overlapping of pay negatively impacts morale among firefighters and robs our men and women the incentive to promote.”
A petition on Change.org to increase Cal firefighter pay has garnered more than 4,300 signatures as of Monday.
