MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The International Association of Firefighters Local 313 filed a lawsuit six months ago against the city of Morgantown over holiday pay after a failed mediation period. Since then, little progress has been made.
Local president Jayson Nicewarmer, during an appearance last week on WAJR-AM’s “Talk of the Town,” said the missed payments added up over time.
“State code says firefighters should be compensated with at least the shift they work, which we work a 24-shift, so we’re getting shorted 12 hours,” Nicewarmer said. “Also, if you worked the holiday, firefighters should get time-and-a-half pay.”
Nicewarmer said currently firefighters get 12 hours of paid time off to take during the year, which is not being covered. He added the process has moved slowly since the lawsuit was filed in June.
“Our attorney has tried since the middle of August to get deposition dates for the city manager and finance director,” he said. “We were finally able to get the depositions on Wednesday.”
The lawsuit is still in the discovery phase.