Firefighters Sue Hermosa Beach For Overtime Compensation

HERMOSA BEACH, CA – Thirteen firefighters have sued the city of Hermosa Beach over how their regular and overtime compensation has been calculated, it was announced Monday. This lawsuit was filed in the midst of the city moving towards contracting with the Los Angeles County Fire Department for firefighting services.

The suit filed in federal district court alleges the city has violated the Fair Labor Standards Act and seeks not only the compensation the firefighters say they deserve but double damages spanning three years as a penalty, plus interest and attorneys fees, according to Katie Casey, Hermosa Beach's public information officer.

In response to the lawsuit, Hermosa Beach Mayor Jeff Duclos said he's "extremely disappointed" by the way the firefighters have handled their compensation concerns. Duclose said the city had just been made aware of the lawsuit.

"We have been negotiating in good faith for the better part of a year with their union on a host of issues, and this Fair Labor Standards Act issue never came up. We've always been fair with the firefighters and grateful for their services," Duclos said. "It's saddening really, that they had many opportunities to bring it up, chose not to and now saddle the city with a lawsuit as they depart city service."

Casey said that because of overtime hours logged, 10 of the highest paid city employees in 2016 were firefighters whose compensation ranged from $156,000 to $307,761.

"In 2017, the highest paid city employee, also from the fire department, will reach over $400,000 in total compensation," she said.

The city's fire department will be dissolved as of Dec. 30, Casey said.

A ceremony recognizing the changeover is scheduled for Dec. 29 in the Community Center Theater.

City News Service and Patch staffer Emily Holland contributed to this post; Image via Shutterstock