Nathaniel Lawrence, who was raised in New Orleans, said the best solution is usually the simplest.
“If you give the guys money, they’ll pick up the trash. I mean it’s not rocket science,” said Lawrence.
A few weeks ago, Edna Posey had to be carried to an ambulance because the construction on her street in Central City made it impossible for EMS to park in front of her house.
“This is ridiculous the way we got to live. I’m sick and the ambulance cannot get to me,” said Posey.
At a time when essential workers are fighting for better pay, New Orleans firefighters said they deserve at least the same living wage that the City Council approved earlier this month for all contracted employees.
We’ve heard a lot about living wages during the pandemic. We’ve seen essential workers demanding pay to make ends meet. Erika Zucker said the bulk of the jobs in New Orleans don’t let them meet that threshold. She said $15 per hour doesn’t provide much financial latitude.
“It’s still paycheck-to-paycheck living. It just means that from paycheck to paycheck, you’re not falling behind,” Zucker said.
Zucker is with the Workplace Justice Project at the Loyola Law Clinic. She said the City Council’s living wage ordinance is monumental because it shows lobbying by workers is effective and city government is willing to hear them out. That said, the $15 per hour rate would take effect in 2023. Zucker said workers with children need help now.
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NOFD could lose millions from hiring grant due to slow recruitment
“I don t understand what the hold up is on this. We re leaving millions of dollars on the table and it doesn t seem like there s a sense of urgency. Author: Mike Perlstein / Eyewitness Investigator Published: 6:21 PM CST January 13, 2021 Updated: 6:21 PM CST January 13, 2021
NEW ORLEANS A $15.9 million federal grant to hire 63 New Orleans firefighters was announced with much fanfare in September by Mayor LaToya Cantrell and then-Fire Superintendent Tim McConnell.
“Sixty-three firefighters, this is a huge win for the city of New Orleans,” Cantrell said at the press conference.
“The goal will be to get them in as soon as possible, get our staffing levels up,” McConnell added.
Furloughs and fire house closures impacting NOFD firefighters
Firefighter Furloughs Impact On New Orleans By Olivia Vidal | December 15, 2020 at 9:39 PM CST - Updated December 16 at 6:23 AM
NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) -At least two house fires in the last month have some New Orleans firefighters concerned for public safety. As furloughs continue and fire houses close, it is impacting first responders.
According to the New Orleans Firefighters Association (NOFA), Ladder 7 off Carrollton Avenue has been closed for 11 days and it’s one of several fire houses across the city being renovated. Right now, Ladder 7 is being renovated.
It is not the only fire house that is not fully operating. Others have fewer staff right now because of furloughs due to the pandemic.