r/Firefighting • u/IronWolfBlaze • Apr 24 '25

News Winston-Salem Firefighters: Underpaid, Understaffed, and Now Losing Their Sick Time— I heard you sir, have a seat.

Winston-Salem firefighters are facing a full-scale erosion of their pay, staffing, and safety—and the city is doubling down. Here's what’s happening:

  • No step pay plan means firefighters have no guaranteed path to raises. They’re stuck in vague pay bands, creating pay compression and forcing many to leave for better-paying departments.

  • Staffing was slashed from 89 to 79 per shift, well below the 4-person-per-truck standard set by NFPA and IFSTA.

  • Safety 7 and the air supply truck were eliminated, removing key fireground safety support and equipment resupply.

  • Sick time cut in half—from 288 to 134 hours a year. First-year vacation time also slashed from 240 to 112 hours. Even senior firefighters with 20+ years lose hundreds of hours.

  • They’re paid 4–7% less than comparable departments in North Carolina despite facing more fires and longer shifts.

  • Union President Parrinello was shut down at a city council meeting while trying to speak: “I heard you, sir. Have a seat.” —Mayor Allen Joines

  • Meanwhile, Greensboro staffs 156 per shift. Winston-Salem does more with less and still gets punished for it.

  • Firefighters are taking second jobs after 24-hour shifts just to get by—this isn’t just morale. It’s a public safety issue.

Full articles here: https://archive.ph/kjuy9
https://archive.ph/7Svig

Watch the mayor shut down the Union President. https://www.youtube.com/live/fYXwPz5VwOw?si=q5WTCgW5HMCwgQSl&t=1h16m5s

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38

u/newenglandpolarbear radio go beep Apr 24 '25

Southern states and mistreating public service, name a more iconic duo!

12

u/Slight_Can5120 Apr 25 '25

Time to unionize.

3

u/just_an_ordinary_guy VFF Apr 25 '25

Can't speak to everywhere, but in a number of states it may not be legal. Public workers fall under state law, and can be broken down thusly. Teachers, fire/police, and everyone else. Some states, different combinations , all, or no one in these groups can unionize. Like, sure, they can technically join as a group, but there is no enforcement of bargaining. North Carolina, I believe, is one of the states that none can. And nationwide there are 3 groupings. The employer has a duty to bargain, may bargain, or is expressly forbidden to bargain. If you "unionize," it's basically just a professional organization with no teeth. However, there's always extra-legal methods that can cost you your job, if you care.