Atlanta firefighters endorse reelection of Mayor Dickens

ATLANTA - Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens has secured an endorsement from the Atlanta Professional Firefighters, an association representing more than 700 firefighters and paramedics across the city.

The endorsement comes just two weeks after Dickens officially launched his re-election campaign. 

What we know:

The group made the announcement at a news conference on Wednesday afternoon at City Hall, praising the mayor for his "unwavering commitment to improving the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department."

While Dickens has gained support from first responders, his campaign has also faced criticism. Protesters accuse the mayor of blocking democracy and lacking transparency, largely due to his handling of the controversial public safety training center now operating in DeKalb County.

The union says the mayor has led with compassion on pay raises, enhanced pensions, opened three rebuilt fire stations, purchased over 30 fire vehicles including five ladder trucks, and opened the Public Safety Training Center. 

Last September, the IAFF was critical of the city for offering 2% pay increases. The union clearly wanted more following a consulting firm's pay study.

What they're saying:

Union President Nat Bailey called the endorsement a straightforward decision, citing improved pay, benefits, and infrastructure under the mayor's leadership. "Our mayor has been magnificent. He has invested and reinvented the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department," Bailey said.

The union pointed to several accomplishments during Dickens’ first term, including the opening of the controversial Public Safety Training Center, new fire stations, upgraded fire trucks, and consistent annual pay raises. "Every year he's been in office, we've had a pay raise," Bailey said. "There isn't anyone else that we want leading our city."

When asked about claims in a letter from employees in the city’s Office of the Inspector General — which described recent collective bargaining negotiations as "contentious" — Dickens acknowledged that talks had become difficult.

"Any kind of negotiation is tough," Dickens said. "We are talking about a lot of intricate details. This has never been done before in the city of Atlanta, so it is definitely something we have to sow in and look at."

Last September, union leaders criticized the city after a consultant-recommended pay study led to a proposed two percent raise—far below expectations. "It’s hurtful. It definitely sticks. And our firefighters deserve better," Bailey said at the time.

Still, Bailey defended the mayor’s role in pushing for collective bargaining from his time on the City Council. "I gotta defend our mayor here about the collective bargaining," he said. "As a council member, he championed it and he called it to vote at the meeting. He made sure we got that, because there are a lot of people that maybe don't want it. He's always been a champion for labor."

Why you should care:

Tuesday's endorsement marks the first official nod of support in Dickens’ re-election bid, and the mayor was all smiles as he accepted it. But his relationship with the fire union has not been without tension.

What's next:

Dickens argues he needs another term to continue his work on affordable housing, infrastructure improvements, and crime reduction.

In addition to the mayoral race in November, Atlanta voters will also cast ballots for several City Council seats.