Memphis Mayor Paul Young plans to give firefighters a 2% raise, according to a social media post late last week. The proposed raise comes as MFD Chief Gina Sweat announced her retirement after nine years at the helm.
“Our value to our team members has never wavered. It’s why I am also announcing a 2% raise for our represented Fire Division staff. I’ll seek Council approval at our upcoming meeting in November,” Young said in an Instagram post on Friday, Oct. 31.
Earlier in the week, Young declared his intentions to raise the baseline city annual salary to $40,000. The raises come as dissatisfaction grows among city employees. Stagnant pay is the primary argument. Memphis has some of the lowest-paid employees in the state, particularly for a large city.
Both moves are an effort to boost salaries and increase worker morale. An across-the-board 3% raise for all city employees is set to take effect July 1, 2026.
The mayor’s newly proposed raises will also require council approval. In a press release, freshman council member Jerri Green called attention to a resolution she introduced to increase city worker pay.
“I am glad that the administration has embraced my proposal from earlier this year and invested in the people who make Memphis better. I’m hopeful that we will keep the momentum going in this era of ‘yes’ and honor the promises we’ve made to all of our unions to give them 5% raises,” Green said.
The 2026 gubernatorial hopeful also highlighted the timing. SNAP payments for needy families recently ran out during the current federal government shutdown. Many low-paid city employees could be affected.
“Before the holidays and as cuts loom from the federal government, it is more important than ever,” Green said.
Young said the raises were necessary following an end-of-year study by his human resources team. The expiration of SNAP benefits underscored the need.
“Amid financial hardships and, sadly, looming SNAP benefit cuts, this announcement couldn’t come soon enough,” Young said.
Sweat’s replacement, Assistant Chief Colin Burress, will transition to his new role at an interesting time.
The first-term mayor remains in court with the unions for both the police and fire departments. He is currently seeking to nullify pre-existing labor agreements between the city and their respective labor organizations. The crux of his argument is that he should not be bound by agreements negotiated by a predecessor.
Meanwhile, a supermajority of employees with the city’s library system are attempting to join the Communications Workers of America union. Last week, Council Member JB Smiley said he would introduce a charter amendment to change their status from “appointed” to “civil service.”
