California Fire Chiefs Reach $1.25M Wage Settlement

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A group of California-based senior fire department officers and a California county are seeking a district court's approval for a $1.25 million proposed settlement to resolve federal overtime wage claims. Ten battalion chiefs sued the County of Tulare in 2024, alleging they were paid flat stipend amounts when working extra time, in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing disputes over overtime pay and work hours for public safety employees like firefighters, which can have significant budget implications for local governments. The settlement aims to resolve a longstanding legal battle over fair compensation for senior fire department staff.

The details

The battalion chiefs claimed they were regularly scheduled to work 192 hours every 24 days but were not properly compensated for overtime hours worked beyond their standard schedule. The proposed $1.25 million settlement would resolve the federal lawsuit filed in the US District Court for the Eastern District of California.

• The lawsuit was filed by the ten battalion chiefs against Tulare County in 2024.
• The proposed $1.25 million settlement is currently awaiting approval from the district court.

What’s next

The district court will decide whether to approve the proposed $1.25 million settlement between Tulare County and the ten battalion chiefs.