
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, May 21, 1994                   TAG: 9405230147
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: michael stowe
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

FIREFIGHTERS SEEK RULING ON SALARIES

The Roanoke Firefighters Association wants a Circuit Court judge to overrule City Manager Bob Herbert's decision that salary grievances made by 44 firefighters are invalid because they weren't filed in time.

Ed Crawford, president of the association, said the firefighters are unhappy with the pay scale adopted last year by the city.

Grievances were filed by senior members of the Fire Department - some with more than 20 years' experience - who are upset because less-experienced firefighters with the same rank are earning bigger paychecks.

"We are so frustrated with this system that we don't know what to do," he said.

Crawford said the firefighters filed appeals with the city, but Herbert ruled that the grievances could not be considered because they had not been filed within 20 days after the pay change went into effect July 1.

Assistant City Attorney William Parsons filed the grievance requests with the Roanoke Circuit Court clerk Friday. A hearing should be held within 30 days.

-MICHAEL STOWE

by CNB