BETHANY, Oklahoma — Firefighters in Bethany will get a pay raise, but it comes at a price: One firefighter has to lose his job.
There are 22 firefighters on staff in Bethany, who all were expected to receive a pay raise. But plans changed, and one firefighter got the bad news he would be let go just moments before the station’s holiday party. However, the city says the group knew beforehand staff could be cut. Bethany firefighters boast being one of the busiest fire departments in the metro, responding to nearly 3,000 calls a year. The firefighters union, the International Association of Firefighters Local 2085, asked the City of Bethany for an 8-percent pay increase, and they got it, but with strings attached.
“The arbitrator ruled in our favor, and found there was more than enough money for all firefighters to get an 8-percent raise,” said Brian Murray, Local 2085 Union president. “And then after we got the award, the city elected to fire one of our firefighters due to budgetary reasons.”
Full story: Bethany Firefighters’ Raise Comes With Strings Attached