Promotional Raises Rescinded

RECALLING RAISES: NEWLY PROMOTED FIREFIGHTERS FACE RETALIATION

The administration of the St. George Fire Protection District called a group of newly promoted officers into meetings they believed would correct an oversight. These firefighters, promoted in January 2023, had not received the proper salary adjustments for their rank as of January 2024, creating a hole for pay disparities. Fast forward much later in time and administrators belatedly admit the error: less senior employees were making more than these newly promoted officers, and the mistake needed fixing.

However, what started as a correction turned into a stunning act of retaliation.

Once the firefighters' union attorney, already involved in an ongoing pay disparity case for the same pay disparity concepts, simply asked if he would receive copies of the forms. The Fire Chief informed that the raises he had promised would now be rescinded.

This is not just a mistake. This is retaliation.

It is important for the public to understand: union activity, including advocating for fair wages and working conditions, is a protected right under the First Amendment. Punishing firefighters for participating in union activity violates these rights and is an attack on the very principles of fairness, dignity, and transparency in government.

For a firefighter, a first promotion represents a major milestone, marking years of sacrifice, training, and service to the community. To have that hard-earned recognition stripped away is more than a financial insult — it is a personal betrayal.

Our firefighters dedicate themselves to protecting the public every day, often at great personal risk. They deserve leadership that respects their commitment, not leadership that punishes them for standing up for fairness and equity.

The St. George Professional Firefighters Association Local 4524 remains committed to exposing these injustices and advocating for every firefighter’s right to fair treatment. We call on the public to stand with us in demanding accountability and transparency from the leadership of the St. George Fire Protection District.

Our mission remains clear: defending our firefighters, defending fairness, and defending the right to a voice without fear of retaliation.