A relationship that turned increasingly unpleasant since Katrina soured even more today as Jefferson Parish President Aaron Broussard’s administration announces sweeping changes to the way firefighters are paid.

“This would result in an immediate 25 percent reduction in firefighters salaries,” said Bob Burkett, Fire Union president.

Currently, Jefferson Parish firefighters receive a yearly 5 percent raise during their first 15 years on the force and a 2 and a half percent raise through year 25. Under the new plan, firefighters would receive no raise their first three years and a state-mandated 2 percent longevity raise in years 4 thru 23.

Also, the parish wants to change the overtime policy.  Firefighters are guaranteed about 12 hours a week in overtime.

“Right now, if they work their regular schedule, they get paid overtime whether they work it or not, whether they're on leave or vacation. ,” said Bert Smith, Jefferson Parish deputy chief administrative assistant. “We are proposing to eliminate that and pay for overtime that is actually worked.”

The Broussard administration says the current plan pays 46 firefighters, 20 percent of the force, more than $100,000 a year. The highest paid made $145,000 last year.

“These firefighters, they are talking about are chiefs with long tenures,” said Burkett.  “I don't think 6 figures for a 30-year chief is too much to ask.”

“Our finance department has determined that if we continue the pay raises at the rate we're paying now and continue to pay excessive overtime, the department will run out of money,” said Smith.

But union representatives say the new pay policy has little do with money and more to do with a vote taken earlier this month, when the firefighters association unanimously passed a non-binding vote of no confidence for interim Fire Chief David Saunders and his boss, Homeland Security Director Deano Bonano.

“This is clearly an effort to reduce the pay of fire personnel to expose the incompetence of mean spirited administrators,” said Burkett.

When asked if this was in retaliation for the vote of no confidence, “No, it doesn't have anything to do with that,” Smith replied.

But the firefighters union says if passed, they may walk off the job.

“The consequences of a proposal like this would be if nothing was resolved and it was put in place -- you can call it what you would --  a strike would be possible.  But firefighters wouldn't be able to work under these salaries, and would be forced to go get other jobs anyway,” Burkett said.

“I think most people understand in private business and elsewhere you don’t get overtime unless you work that overtime,” Smith said.

This new pay proposal for firefighters now goes to the Jefferson Parish Council.  They're expected to vote on it next year at their mid-January meeting.