Atlanta, GA – Today, the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 134 endorsed Kasim Reed for Mayor. The union currently represents more than 600 firefighters and paramedics that protect and serve the City of Atlanta.
In a letter from President Paul Gerdis, the IAFF Local 134 cited Reed’s “proven success as an effective leader, visionary, and champion for improving Atlanta” as the reason for their endorsement.
“Our union members were impressed with your plan to provide safety in the city, create jobs, and stimulate the Atlanta economy,” said Gerdis. “You assured the members of the Atlanta Professional Firefighters that as Mayor you would work to improve labor relations between the members of the Atlanta Professional Firefighters and the Mayor’s Office and make the Department an industry leader. We believe that you will successfully represent the interest of citizens, visitors, and employees of Atlanta.”
“I am deeply thankful for the endorsement of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 134 and the confidence they have in my leadership,” said Kasim Reed. “At this critical time for our city, it is imperative that we stand with and support our first responders. When I served as Mayor, I worked to ensure that our public safety departments received competitive compensation and had the highest-quality training and equipment available. If elected, I will continue to work on behalf of the firefighters and paramedics who serve our city proudly every day.”
When Mayor Reed was in office, public safety personnel and city employees received nine salary increases totaling more than $19 million in compensation. In January 2011, sworn officers in the Atlanta Police and the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department received a full step pay increase of 3.5 percent, the first full step increase granted since 2007. In 2013, sworn personnel received two additional pay increases, for a total of 5.5 percent in increases. The Reed Administration consistently made significant investments in employee compensation and benefits. In the midst of the worst economic recession in 80 years, the Reed eliminated furloughs and layoffs citywide, built the largest fire department to date and eliminated staffing shortages on fire trucks, brought the city’s police force to 2,000 officers for the first time in the department’s history, and restored command staff at the city jail.
