Firefighters say pay proposal won’t stop staffing and retention crisis
HIALEAH — Firefighters in Hialeah are sharply criticizing a city proposal that would deliver two consecutive 6% raises over two years, saying the offer fails to address ongoing staffing shortages and leaves their pay well behind comparable agencies.
The proposal was presented at bargaining talks by Jose Torres, a Hialeah police officer who now serves as chief of staff to Mayor Bryan Calvo. The plan calls for a 6% cost-of-living increase in October and another 6% the following year, and covers only two years — a point of contention for union leaders who sought a longer agreement.
Union leaders voiced frustration that the city’s offer comes weeks after Hialeah reached what officials called a landmark pay deal with the police department. That agreement includes larger cumulative increases and additional tenure-based boosts, which the firefighters say creates an unfair disparity between first responder groups.
“With all due respect, this is a slap in the face to me,”
said Michael Bello, vice president of the firefighters union, during the bargaining session. Bello argued the offer would not make Hialeah firefighters competitive with neighboring departments or resolve the department’s recruitment and retention problems.
How the offers compare
City and union proposals diverge notably in magnitude and duration. Firefighters sought multi-year increases they say are needed to close gaps with other Miami-Dade agencies; the city delivered a shorter, smaller package.
| Group | City proposal | Firefighters’ request |
|---|---|---|
| Hialeah firefighters | 6% in year one; 6% in year two (two-year deal) | 10% year one; 7% year two; 5% year three (three-year request) |
| Hialeah police | 8% in 2026; 6% in 2027; 6% in 2028; additional 5% for longer-tenured officers | — |
Union concerns and local implications
Fire department leaders say the gap between the offers could worsen existing staffing challenges. They argue that without more aggressive pay adjustments the department will continue to lose personnel to neighboring municipalities and counties that offer higher compensation.
- Recruitment and retention: Union officials say current pay levels hamper the city’s ability to hire and keep firefighters.
- Parity with police: Firefighters point to the police contract’s larger multi-year increases as evidence of uneven prioritization of first responders.
- Contract length: The city’s two-year proposal contrasts with the union’s three-year demand, limiting long-term planning for employees.
City leaders have defended their approach as fiscally responsible, but details of the administration’s rationale were not presented during the bargaining session covered by media reports. The mayor’s office has previously said public safety is a priority, but that stance has not quelled union criticism.
Next steps and public safety risks
Negotiations are continuing. Fire union officials have signaled they will press for a larger, multi-year agreement to match or come closer to compensation in surrounding agencies. Without changes, union representatives warn, the department could face continued difficulty filling positions and retaining experienced crews — outcomes that could affect response times and operational readiness.
For Hialeah residents, the bargaining outcome will affect more than salaries: it could influence the day-to-day capacity of the city’s fire services and the broader morale among first responders tasked with emergency response and public safety.
As talks proceed, both sides are under pressure to find common ground on compensation and staffing levels while balancing the city’s fiscal constraints and the need to sustain a dependable emergency workforce.
