Ala. Code § 45-51A-33.212

Any person holding an office or position in the classified service of the city under any civil service or merit system applicable to the city when the mayor-council form of government shall be adopted shall be continued as such officer or employee in the classified service of the city under the mayor-council form of government and with the same status, rights, and privileges and subject to the same conditions under such applicable civil service or merit system as if the mayor-council form of government had not been adopted.