RALEIGH, N.C. — State troopers suing North Carolina for millions of dollars in back pay say the state’s broken promises have forced them into tough spots: working second jobs, moving in with parents, even going on food stamps.
About 800 troopers — equivalent to half the force — have joined a class-action lawsuit arguing that the state promised a schedule of regular pay increases when they were hired but reneged because of budget problems. Many took pay cuts when they were recruited from other agencies, expecting to catch up quickly because of raises traditionally given about once a year.
“I don’t think people understand the hard times we’re going through,” said Master Trooper Rick Quinones, who lives with his wife and two young daughters in a spare bedroom at his parents’ house.
Traditionally, troopers received the raises for about six years until they became master troopers, commanding a salary around $60,000. But troopers who had yet to reach top pay before the freeze are way behind, said Fred Barbour, a lawyer for the troopers.
Lawmakers agreed last year to an increase of around 5 percent for troopers who hadn’t reached top-pay status. Another such raise is due next year, and a separate boost of 3 percent was given to all troopers, regardless of pay status, in 2015.
The recession caused budget problems for departments around the country. A Police Executive Research Forum survey of more than 600 agencies in 2010 found more than half curtailed salaries among other belt-tightening measures.
The national president of the Fraternal Order of Police, Chuck Canterbury, said there have been fights at the bargaining table by state police unions elsewhere since the Great Recession, but North Carolina is the only place where he’s aware of troopers suing over pay.
The Associated Press
