A hearing on a motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Parkersburg firefighters against the city over a change in longevity pay has been scheduled for Jan. 3.
A complaint was filed on behalf of three firefighters — Wayne White, Michael Wood and Joshua Gandee — and all others similarly situated, as well as International Association of Firefighters Local 91, against Parkersburg this fall, claiming city officials in 2017 improperly reduced longevity pay they and 39 others had been receiving from a rate of 25 cents per hour for each year of service to 22.22 cents. It also says pay for firefighters designated as emergency medical technicians was improperly reduced as well.
In the motion to dismiss, filed earlier this month, attorneys for the firm of Bowles Rice retained by the city argue the move was an adjustment of incorrect wages that had been paid over several years.