19 Year Veteran Paid Less Than Rookie

Union Documents Shed Light on Firefighter Pay Disparities

ST GEORGE, LA — As the lawsuit between St. George Professional Firefighters Association Local 4524 and the St. George Fire Protection District continues to unfold, specific examples are emerging that demonstrate just how deeply the pay inequities have affected veteran firefighters.

One particularly striking case involves Firefighter Garian B.(privacy), who was hired on October 8, 2002, and had accumulated 19 years of service by 2021. According to internal department payroll records, Garian was paid a base salary of $45,509 that year.

That same year, a newly hired firefighter, Joseph B.(privacy), entered the department on May 26, 2021—and was paid a base salary of $47,102.

Let that sink in: a rookie firefighter, with no prior years of service as a municipal firefighter, was paid more than a 19-year veteran of the same department.

This is not just a clerical oversight. This is a systemic failure—and one that Local 4524 has fought to correct for years.

“This is exactly why we filed the lawsuit,” said a spokesperson for Local 4524. “When the leadership of a fire department allows decades of experience to be devalued, and in fact penalized, it tells firefighters that loyalty and service mean nothing.”

A Violation of State Law and Common Sense

The union’s lawsuit is based on violations of Louisiana Revised Statutes 33:1992 and 33:1969, which mandate that:

• Higher ranks and longer tenure must receive proportionally higher pay

• Equal pay for equal work must be observed department-wide

Instead, what’s been uncovered are years of inconsistent pay practices, where experienced firefighters were paid less than newly hired personnel and where rank- and tenure-based progression was ignored.

“Our members didn’t want to file a lawsuit, in fact the Chief told us to” the union added. “They were left with no choice. When the Fire Chief and Fire Board fail to correct these disparities—when they ignore fairness, legality, and morale—someone has to take a stand.”

Leadership Failing Those Who Serve

The case of Garian vs. Joseph is just one of dozens of such disparities uncovered by the union’s investigation. The total estimated liability from these underpayments is now projected to exceed $30 million. Where does the accountability for these mistakes start? If you caused $30 million in damages at your workplace, what would happen to you?

Local 4524’s message is clear: this is not about seeking special treatment. It’s about ensuring that decades of service, sacrifice, and risk are honored—not overlooked.

“Garian spent nearly two decades serving this community with professionalism and courage,” said a fellow firefighter. “And he was paid less than someone who had been here for 2 months. That’s not just unfair—it’s unforgivable.”