By Jacque Day
Murray, Ky. – The Murray City Council entered a closed session at 5 PM to discuss a proposal from the attorney representing 27 city firefighters suing for several years of back overtime pay. The dispute stems from a long-existing policy that gives Murray firefighters an additional $3,100 per year as incentive to take additional safety training. Houston-based attorney Rex Burch represents the firemen. He argues the yearly incentive was not properly calculated into the firefighters' overtime pay. Burch says, collectively by his firm's calculations, Murray's firefighters were underpaid by about $250,000.
"The law provides that if you underpay someone, that is you don't pay them all of their money on time, that you should presumptively be liable for twice the amount. In addition, Kentucky state law provides that people are entitled to pre-judgment interest. And in addition, the law allows the firefighters to recover the attorney's fee. The city's potential liability in this case, by my estimates, is over $600,000."
Burch did not disclose the details of the proposal he made to the city in yesterday's mediation session, which lasted more than five hours. Today at five the council will review the proposal in a closed session, after which they plan to announce their recommendation to the public. The council's decision will determine whether the city will accept the terms, or move onto a trial.