North Carolina troopers on food stamps amid pay fight

RALEIGH, N.C. -- State troopers suing North Carolina for millions of dollars in back pay said 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 -- half the force -- have joined a class-action lawsuit arguing 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 because of the raises.

"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.

His wife and children are covered by Medicaid, he said, and they use WIC government food assistance.

"That's a hit on your pride, especially when you're supposed to be the best that the state has to offer," he said.

The group, which includes some former troopers, is appealing after a trial court judge ruled against them in the nearly 2-year-old case.

"We took an oath to protect the public, and that's what we do. We are in harm's way every day," said Robbie Terry, a 47-year-old master trooper who's based in Columbus County. "It's all about what's right and wrong, and we have been wronged. We've not been paid the money that we were promised."

When Terry became a trooper about eight years ago, he took a pay cut of several thousand dollars from his job as an 8-year veteran of the Lumberton Police Department. He figured the move would pay off because of the raises described by recruiters and listed in a pamphlet. Then pay freezes started in 2009.

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.

For example, Terry and Quinones are each making around $45,000 despite reaching master trooper rank.

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 in 2015.

Still, troopers argue damage already has been done: Terry said he's behind by tens of thousands of dollars. And if his pay doesn't catch up before retires in a few years, the pain will be compounded by lower retirement benefits based on his salary.