Billboard raises pay fights's visibility

WXIA TV

November 14, 2004

Reported by: Kay Flowers

Atlanta firefighters took their fight for equal pay to the streets Sunday with a 28-foot billboard attached to a truck and a public address system.

The firefighters continued their campaign for the same pay raise proposed for Atlanta police officers by cruising around town targeting tax payers. They want Atlanta residents to take notice and hopefully take up their cause.

“We’re trying to raise awareness on the issue and get the citizens to call their councilmen and the Mayor and tell them they support equal pay and equal pension for the firefighters and the police,” said Jim Daws, Atlanta Firefighters Union.

Last week firefighters rallied to protest Mayor Shirley Franklin’s proposed 2005 budget, which gives Atlanta police a 4-percent raise. Under the same budget, firefighters and other employees would receive a 1-percent raise.

Firefighters hope taking their fight to the people will pay off in pay raises.

“An outstanding response today,” Daws said. “We’ve had people waving from the sidewalk and stopping and asking us how they can help. A lot of them are going to come out and march with us tomorrow.”

Firefighters say the billboard truck will lead their Monday morning march from Turner Field to City Hall, where they hope to once again get the attention of the mayor and city council members.

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