WILMINGTON, N.C. — N.C. firefighters are now using city billboards to campaign for better pay by highlighting that they earn less than $10 per hour.

Chuck Bower, president of The Wilmington Professional Firefighters Association says drivers can now see wage-themed messages on electronic billboards starting this week.

The billboards will display the fire union's message for two weeks, according to Star News.



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One message has a picture of a firefighter with “Risking our lives for $9.63/hr.”

Another has a firefighter climbing a ladder with the message, “Why are we at the bottom of the pay ladder?”

Bower says city leaders have not committed to or developed a long-term solution for improved pay and benefits.

A city human resources official said that firefighters overall are paid 21 percent below-market compared to top cities.