dailyloe.com – Atlanta’s firefighters union leader spoke out Monday about low morale within the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department. Captain Nate Bailey cited low pay, retention struggles, and equipment issues. He said the city is not upholding a contract agreed upon last year. Bailey spoke before a City Council meeting on March 25.
Captain Bailey said nearly half of Atlanta firefighters seek other jobs. He stated as many as 48 percent are looking for employment elsewhere. The primary reason cited for this is low pay. The union leader linked this directly to the contract dispute.
In the union’s telling, a contract was agreed on last year. It was never formally signed by Mayor Andre Dickens. The city stopped upholding it in October, according to Bailey. This has contributed to sinking morale within the force.
Bailey said an ordinance will be introduced to legislate firefighter pay. This would happen if the contract is not upheld. He did not detail the salary ordinance for Monday’s council. Bailey emphasized the need for the contract to be completed.
“Overall, we’re asking City Hall to invest in its fire department,” Bailey said Monday. He asked officials to listen to the needs of firefighters. The union leader requested a plan to address these issues. His comments were made to reporters.
The city has recently responded to complaints from the union. It contends it provides an unprecedented level of support. This support has been given to the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department in recent years. The city’s statement was included in the report.
Bailey also raised concerns about equipment availability. He said many mornings see multiple ladder trucks and fire engines out of service. He cited November 2021 as the last time all equipment was operational. Every engine and truck was in service at that time.
The city says equipment rotation is part of an ongoing process. Four stations are undergoing renovations and repairs. Some apparatus may rotate out for routine maintenance. This is normal for managing a fleet of this size, the city contends.
The city argues some comments on equipment include misinformation. It said these comments do not reflect how AFRD operates. The city stated they also do not reflect the current service level. It described the remarks as fear-mongering.
“We’re way behind on equipment, we’re way behind on pay,” Bailey said Monday. He stated the need to get the contract done. The union leader’s remarks summarized his core complaints. The situation remains a point of contention with city officials.
