Firefighters continue push for raises

Members of a newly formed Clovis Fire Fighter’s Association are circulating a petition asking the city commission to reconsider a plan for department pay raises.

The firefighters plan to present the petition at Thursday’s city commission meeting.

During a Sept. 6 meeting, the city commission voted 4-3 against a proposal by Fire Chief Ray Westerman that would have restructured the department’s payroll budget to use funds earmarked for five vacant positions to increase pay in 50 mid-range positions.

Westerman has said the department has retention issues among experienced, middle-level employees because of pay issues.

More than 60 firefighters are involved in the petition effort, according to paramedic Joel Gershon.

City Manager Joe Thomas said firefighters informed him of their plan to garner support through signatures.

“If they want to present a petition to the Commission, that is certainly their right to do,” he said. “I’m sure that the Commission will receive it.”

Thomas said he does not support the pay proposal.

“Although I fully support the fire department and would like to see increases go to them, I also have an obligation to all other departments in the city. I can not support a single department over another,” he said.

The Clovis Fire Fighter’s Association was formed Sept. 7 in response to the Commission’s decision, Gershon said.

Commissioner Fred Van Soelen said he supports the firefighters and voted for the pay plan.

"I've always supported the firefighters and want to help them out and thought it was a good plan," he said.

Commissioner Robert Sandoval said he is aware of the firefighters’ efforts but feels they and community members don’t have all the facts.

He said he is concerned young firefighters don’t realize they will give up a percentage of their future pay raises to bolster pay in other positions. In the end, he believes the lower-level firefighters will suffer so a select few can benefit.

“I’m concerned about the little guy and I’m concerned about the rest of our city employees,” he said. “Many of them don’t have a chance of getting a pay raise because most of them won’t advance because there aren’t that many positions to advance to.”

Sandoval said if presented the same plan, he would vote against it again.

“I understand that they do a tough job and I understand that everybody needs more money, but I wonder if they do understand what they’re signing up for.”

Gershon said the firefighters are considering forming a union if the pay raise plan is rejected again.

“We would like to do things on our own, but if we can’t get things done, a union is definitely a possibility,” he said.

How they voted

City Commissioners’ votes at the Sept. 6 meeting:

Against — Juan Garza Sr., Lunell Winton, Robert Sandoval, Isidro Garcia

In favor — Fred Van Soelen, Ron Edwards, Len Vohs

Absent — Randy Crowder