Contentious Raises For Sacramento Firefighters Approved By City Council

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — As city leaders approved a new contract that increases firefighters' pay, there is concern over how much Sacramento firefighters are making.

The Sacramento City Council approved a contract giving most firefighters a 12 percent raise over the next two years, with firefighters paying more toward retirement and health care costs.

The move comes after a new salary survey showed some firefighters are already making big bucks off of overtime. In fact, eight made more money than the fire chief and nine made more money in overtime than their base pay.

The fire department says most of that cost came from a busy wildland season and offering support up and down the state. It also says mandatory overtime was needed because they haven't been able to hire enough qualified candidates to staff stations 24 hours a day.

The raises go into effect immediately.