Clarksville firefighters demand living wage ahead of council meeting

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — Members of Clarksville Fire Rescue are calling on city leaders to raise firefighter wages and invest in public safety, as they argue that corporate tax incentives are being prioritized over frontline workers.

The union representing Clarksville firefighters, IAFF Local 3180, will hold a press conference Thursday, June 12 at 3:30 p.m. at 106 Public Square to formally present a compensation reform proposal to the Clarksville City Council.

Union officials say rising living costs have forced many firefighters to work multiple jobs, impacting their well-being and potentially compromising emergency response readiness.

Key elements of the proposed reform include:

• An immediate base salary increase across all firefighter ranks;
• A structured step pay plan with merit-based promotions, longevity bonuses, and certification incentives;
• Recruitment and retention initiatives such as signing bonuses and education support.

Currently, certified firefighter salaries in Clarksville start at $43,811, well below the national average of $59,606. The pay gap has widened compared to neighboring cities like Nashville and Murfreesboro, making it harder to attract and retain qualified personnel, union leaders say.

“Clarksville can afford it. It’s a matter of priorities, not resources,” said IAFF Local 3180 President Jesse Snyder.

Union members point to major tax breaks granted to large corporations, including a $50 million property tax abatement for Hankook Tire over 20 years — an amount they say nearly matches the $3 million requested in firefighter wage increases. The city also spent $2.9 million to build a fire substation for Hankook’s arrival.

Other corporations such as LG Chem, Google, and AtlasBX have also benefited from generous incentives through the Clarksville-Montgomery County Industrial Development Board, the union noted.

“Why are billion-dollar corporations getting massive tax breaks while Clarksville’s firefighters are told to settle for poverty wages?” said Owen James, a member of IAFF Local 3180. “The city can afford to pay us fairly; it is choosing not to.”

The Clarksville-Montgomery County Education Association echoed the union’s concerns, linking stagnant firefighter pay to broader underfunding of public services.

“Lawmakers denying firefighters their deserved wage increases and underfunding our public schools are both part of the same problem,” said Stefi Outlaw, the group’s president. “We must reverse course to make Clarksville thrive for our people.”

FOX 17 News reached out to Clarksville City Council to see if they have a statement ahead of the meeting. We are waiting to hear back.

Organizers are urging the public to attend Thursday’s press conference and pressure city officials to approve the proposed reforms.

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