Wilmington firefighters run ads for better pay

WILMINGTON, N.C. (AP) — Firefighters in Wilmington are going to the public as they seek better pay and benefits.

The StarNews of Wilmington reports (http://bit.ly/14RJku8 ) the Wilmington Professional Firefighters Association is running ads on several electronic billboards around the city.

One of the ads has picture of a firefighter with the legend: "Risking our lives for $9.63 an hr."

Another, with a firefighter climbing a ladder, asks "Why are we at the bottom of the pay ladder?"

Wilmington human resources director Jeanne Sexton told a budget meeting last week about the low pay for public safety workers.

Sexton said city salaried and hourly employees are paid about 9 percent below comparable markets overall. But she says starting firefighters earn 21 percent below the market rate.

___

Information from: The StarNews, http://starnewsonline.com