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Knoxville Firefighters File Pay Discrimination Lawsuit

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Knoxville firefighters holding signs for fair pay

News Summary

Six seasoned firefighters from Knoxville have filed a lawsuit against the city, claiming misclassification and pay discrimination due to an improperly implemented Pay Step Plan. The lawsuit alleges violations of both the Fourteenth Amendment and the Tennessee Human Rights Act, affecting their compensation and benefits. The firefighters are seeking a jury trial and appropriate compensation for their lost wages, while the city’s deputy communications director defends the Pay Step Plan’s intent to address salary compression.

Knoxville Firefighters Fire Back Against City in Pay Lawsuit

Knoxville is buzzing with news of a significant lawsuit that has emerged from within the ranks of the Knoxville Fire Department. Six seasoned firefighters, each with more than 25 years of dedicated service, have stepped forward to file a lawsuit against the city of Knoxville. This lawsuit revolves around claims of misclassification and pay discrimination that the firefighters allege stemmed from a new pay scale introduced in 2022.

The Issue at Hand

At the center of the dispute is what is known as the “Pay Step Plan.” This updated pay structure aimed to provide a clearer compensation pathway based on rank and tenure. However, the plaintiffs assert that the city did not implement this plan correctly, which left many of them, and likely other veteran firefighters, without fair compensation for their years of service.

According to the complaint, the city’s decisions seemingly stemmed from actions taken by the Knoxville Mayor’s office, which allegedly misclassified these long-serving firefighters against the approved plan that had already been passed by the Knoxville City Council. The firefighters have sought a proper reclassification aligned with the step plan, along with transparency about the formulas used for their pay classifications.

Dismissed Grievances

Despite their efforts, city rules stood in their way. Their complaints regarding compensation issues were deemed by city regulations to be beyond the scope of “grievable” matters. This has left the plaintiffs feeling quite frustrated, as they argue that there is currently no procedure available for them to address their grievances relating to compensation or classifications.

The lawsuit also highlights concerns regarding potential discrimination against older employees, alleging that the adjustments to the pay structure unintentionally harmed those who have dedicated many years to firefighting. They claim violations not only of the Fourteenth Amendment but also of the Tennessee Human Rights Act, leading to significant losses in wages and job benefits.

City’s Response

In response to the situation, the deputy communications director for Knoxville has pointed out that the Pay Step Plan was created to tackle what they call “salary compression.” This issue arose from a failure to keep salaries competitive within the market, which has, in turn, impacted retention and recruitment for the fire department. The plan included a 6% salary increase aimed at attracting new hires while keeping existing tenured personnel satisfied.

Complicating matters, Kevin Faddis, one of the plaintiffs, was a member of the advisory committee that assisted in the development of the Pay Step Plan by the national consulting firm, Management Advisory Group International. The firefighters contend that the way the new plan was rolled out led to arbitrary classifications that inaccurately reflected their established years of service.

Details of the Pay Plan Rollout

Within the structure of the new pay plan, there are reportedly 25 steps corresponding to years of service within each job classification. However, the plaintiffs claim certain firefighters have found themselves ensnared in lower pay grades due to how their classifications were assigned. This has raised concerns about fairness in the system.

Interestingly, the suit mentions changes made in 2020 regarding pay classifications, including a shift in oversight from the Civil Services Merit Board to a newly created HR director role, leaving some wondering if this impacted how pay structures were implemented.

Moreover, another plaintiff, Robert Pollard, has raised concerns surrounding the compensation study process, which were brushed aside by Fire Chief Stan Sharp, who acknowledged the complexity of compensation issues. Like the other plaintiffs, Pollard’s grievances fell on deaf ears since city rules protect compensation matters from being addressed formally.

The Future for Knoxville Firefighters

The six brave firefighters are now seeking compensation for the lost wages attributed to their alleged misclassification, and they have requested a jury trial to address any issues that warrant examination in court. With months of hard work and commitment on their side, these firefighters hope to see justice served and a resolution that restores their rightful compensation.

The outcome of this case could have serious implications, not just for the plaintiffs, but for all seasoned professionals who serve their community with dedication. Everyone is left to wonder how this legal battle will unfold and what it means for the future of firefighting in Knoxville.

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Knoxville Firefighters File Pay Discrimination Lawsuit

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