About 70 Tijuana firefighters and lifeguards staged a peaceful protest Monday morning at the Municipal Palace, demanding a salary increase the current administration promised but has not delivered in 2026. After roughly an hour of demonstrations in the city hall esplanade, officials agreed to a preliminary deal that includes new rescue uniforms and a financial review of the proposed raise.
The firefighters met with the city secretary, treasurer, and chief administrative officer following the protest. City officials committed to delivering new rescue uniforms by next week and completing a budget analysis by Friday to determine how much a raise would cost. A follow-up meeting with Mayor Ismael Burgueño Ruiz is expected in the coming days.
Deep Pay Gap Between Firefighters
The protest exposed a stark pay disparity inside the Tijuana Fire Department. Newly hired firefighters classified as “trusted” (non-union) personnel earn as little as 3,000 to 6,000 pesos biweekly (roughly $150 to $300 USD), while their union counterparts with permanent positions can earn over 15,000 pesos biweekly (about $750 USD). Some firefighters told reporters they need second jobs to make ends meet.
The administration had pledged a 33% annual pay raise at the start of its term, but workers say the increase has not materialized this year. The Ground News aggregation of the story cited a 30% figure from La Jornada Baja California, though the original source from Punto Norte reported 33%. Either way, the raise remains unfulfilled.
Out-of-Pocket Costs for Firefighters
The dispute also brought attention to other financial burdens on the firefighters. The city acknowledged it has not been covering the cost of specialized truck-driving licenses, which firefighters currently pay for out of their own pockets. These licenses are required to operate fire engines and rescue vehicles.
Approximately 70 trusted firefighters participated in Monday’s action, according to reports. They called on Burgueño to standardize salaries across the department so that workers performing the same duties receive comparable pay regardless of their employment classification.
What Comes Next
The Friday budget review will be the first concrete test of the city’s willingness to follow through. If the financial analysis confirms room in the municipal budget, a formal raise could be announced during the meeting with Mayor Burgueño. For now, the firefighters have returned to duty while awaiting results.
This story was first reported by Punto Norte.