Atlanta City Councilmember Wayne Martin introduced legislation Monday directing the city "to provide for equitable and competitive" pay for its firefighters by July 1, when the city's 2027 fiscal year begins. The move comes amid ongoing tensions between Mayor Andre Dickens and the firefighters union.
The International Association of Fire Fighters Local 134 sued the city last month for breach of contract over the mayor's refusal to sign the city's first-ever union contract with Atlanta Fire Rescue Department workers. The council approved that contract a year ago.
Martin's pay-raise bill, co-sponsored by 12 of the 15 council members, was referred to the Public Safety and Legal Administration Committee at the April 20 full council meeting. That followed four hours of public comment from almost 100 Atlantans on three hot issues: firefighter pay and the union contract, city policy on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and ensuring access to the city's Policing Alternatives and Diversion Initiative (PAD), all ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup games in June and July.
"If Atlanta is committed to public safety, then let's put our money where our mouth is," East Atlanta resident Matt McCabe said, urging the city to support firefighters and protect immigrants and unhoused Atlantans. Organizing by the firefighters union and a coalition of groups including Communities over Cages and Housing Justice League drove the high turnout.
Eight World Cup matches will be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium between June 13 and July 15, a window that has sharpened every public safety, immigration, and encampment conversation at City Hall.
