The Senate passed a bill on Wednesday that would clarify compensation for municipal firefighters who are required to work a holiday shift.
Senate Bill 557 would establish that firefighters are entitled to compensation for an entire shift, even if only a portion of the holiday shift actually falls on the holiday.
The bill is seen as a fairness issue as some municipalities have taken the position firefighters only receive holiday pay or comp time for the portion of the shift that falls on the holiday. In this scenario, if the firefighter takes time off on the holiday, they are charged for the full shift. The most common shift worked by a firefighter is 12 hours, 8 a.m. until 8 a.m.
The bill doesn’t change the rate of time-and-a-half compensation or the compensatory time allowed if the municipality chooses that methodology.
The legislation should make holiday pay for municipal firefighters uniform across the state. The measure now goes to the House of Delegates for consideration.
The Senate is adjourned until tomorrow, Feb. 8, at 11 a.m.
Afternoon Meetings:
Economic Development at 1 p.m. in 451M
Pensions at 2 p.m. in 451M
Finance at 3 p.m. in 451M
Judiciary at 3 p.m. in 208W
Morning Meetings for 2/8:
Gov. Org at 10 a.m. in 208W
Education at 10 a.m. in 451M
