Non-union employees to receive salary increases

By Grace Lovins

Birmingham city commissioners unanimously approved a salary range adjustment for some employees at their meeting on Monday, June 5, adjusting for market inflation for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.

The city’s human resource department proposed a 3.5 percent market adjustment for the coming fiscal year for non-union, full-time employees. Increases would apply to roughly 35 employees tied in with a performance increase based on a tiered system, said assistant city manager and acting HR department head Melissa Fairbairn.

Based upon performance, employees at the maximum end of their pay range can earn a 2.5 percent lump sum based on a great performance review; employees in the 75th percentile or above can earn up to a three percent increase; and those below the 75th percentile can earn as high as a six percent increase.

Fairbairn also pointed out that the market adjustment is in line with the union bargaining units. Last year, the Police Patrol Association and Police Command Association bargained increases for the next three years, with 2023 and 2024 each seeing a 3.5 percent increase. Fairbairn says this set a path for the city as they want to keep the rates as close together as possible. The city is currently under negotiations with AFSCME and BFFA.

“Certainly, this is in keeping with everybody that we gave raises to last year and will hopefully continue the trend next year,” said commissioner Brad Host.

The commission voted 7-0 to approve the adjustments.