PA IAFF Suit Claims City Didn't Calculate FF Pay Correctly
By Dan Nephin
Source LNP, Lancaster, Pa. (TNS)
Nov. 9—The president of Lancaster city's firefighter union said in a lawsuit that the city hasn't been adding longevity pay when it calculates overtime pay for at least three years, a situation he said affects more than 60 firefighters in the department.
Longevity pay is calculated as a percentage of base pay and is paid at an hourly rate. Union President Geoff Stone said his longevity pay amounts to 90 cents an hour on top of his base pay, but more senior firefighters can have rates of $3 or $4 an hour. Firefighters are eligible for longevity pay on January 1 following their four-year service anniversary.
Longevity pay should be factored into both voluntary and mandatory overtime calculations according to the suit. Overtime is paid at time-and-a-half.
Stone estimated it could mean several thousand dollars over the past several years for himself, noting he's worked more than 600 hours of overtime so far this year.
Mayor Danene Sorace on Wednesday said the city does not comment on pending litigation. However, she said, "no grievance was filed and the administration was unaware of any issue."
Stone confirmed that Lancaster Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 319 did not bring the issue to the city's attention.
"We were informed that the lawsuit would be the best course of action" by the union's legal counsel, said Wednesday.
Stone said the department has been short staffed and overtime has been an ongoing issue since 2020. As of May 2021, the union had at least 80 members, but that number is now in the high 60s.
Stone's lawsuit was filed Oct. 30 in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia.
The suit does not specify how much and others are seeking, but in addition to whatever that may be be, is seeking interest and legal fees.
Messages left for 's attorney, W. Daniel Feehan of Philadelphia, on Monday and Wednesday were not immediately returned.
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