Raleigh firefighters complain about revamped pay system

But some firefighters now say the pay structure the city put in place can be unfair, and dozens of Raleigh firefighters have filed grievances with the city seeking adjustments.

Capt. Wayne Motley, a 26-year veteran of the Raleigh Fire Department, said less-experienced firefighters can now leapfrog some veterans on the pay scale who have more years of service and higher ranks.

"A guy could stay and ride in the back for 15 years and be promoted and pass the guys who are supervising him and writing his evaluations," Motley said Friday. "I think there are 13 or 14 guys that came years after me and were promoted years after me and are ahead of me [in pay]. So that's where you hear the grief when these guys come in years later and just fly right past you."

Tim Mayes, Raleigh's interim human resources director, said city officials are aware of the complaints and are looking into the pay concerns.

"An Employee Advisory Group, composed of employees from all City departments, has been formed to provide input on employee programs and services, such as benefits, compensation, and/or policies," Mayes said in an email.

Motley points out that the current compensation system is not based on performance.

"If you don't do the job, if you can't do the job, No. 1, you shouldn't be there," he said.

Motley and other firefighters affected by the new pay system want changes as soon as possible.