Statesville City Council approved this week a $15 per hour minimum wage for all city employees. However, some Statesville firefighters have been voicing their displeasure this week because they are not included in the wage increase.
Statesville City Manager Ron Smith told FOX 46 Thursday that firefighters work different hours, 24 on and 48 off, so their pay structure is different. He said the wage increase approved this week by city council focused on city employees who work eight hour days.
“The sanitation department I really feel they are so underpaid because they have the dirtiest, nastiest job,” said one councilmember Monday, before city council approved the minimum wage motion by a vote of seven to one.
That comment in particular rubbed some Statesville firefighters the wrong way since they are not included within the city employee minimum wage increase.