Louisiana Firefighters Claim Pay Scales Violate State Law

Posted by: Curt Varone 26 days ago 0

Twenty Louisiana firefighters have filed suit claiming the fire department’s pay scales violate state law. The firefighters, all members of Moss Bluff Firefighters, IAFF Local 5501, claim that Ward 1 Fire Department’s method of paying them results in less tenured personnel earning more than senior members, violating Louisiana laws that require equal pay for equal work.

The suit was filed in state court. A copy of the complaint is not available, but according to KPLC Channel 7, the problem has been building for years. Firefighters reported that a previous chief had changed the pay scales. KPLC has a video with more details about the lawsuit, but it was not available for embedding. Here is a link to the video.

A copy of the complaint will be posted here if it becomes available.

April 14, 2025 Update: Here is a copy of the complaint. That you to Larry Palmer for this assist on this one.

Moss Bluff Firefighters v Ward 1Download

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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