Louisiana Firefighters Settle Suit for $395k

Posted by: Curt Varone April 4, 2012 0

A group of 35 firefighters have settled a decade’s long lawsuit against the City of Ruston, Louisiana for $395,000. The suit was filed in 2001 over the way that officers’ compensation was being calculated.

The suit alleged that the city failed to comply with a state law mandating that officers be paid a minimum pay differential above firefighters’ base pay. At the time suit was filed, base pay for firefighters was $4.35 per hour, $5.15 for firefighters with EMT. State law required captains to be paid at least 25% more than firefighters, which the suit alleged was not being done.

Both sides expressed relief that the suit was finally over. The city aldermen voted earlier this week to allocate $395,000 from the general fund into the fire department’s budget.

More on the story.

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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