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Financial Terms of Historic Houston Fire Settlement Announced
Financial Terms of Historic Houston Fire Settlement Announced
New collective bargaining agreement structured to protect the city’s budget
March 14, 2024 – Mayor John Whitmire and the Houston Professional Firefighters Association today announced a historic agreement to end an eight-year impasse. The $650 million deal to finally resolve the city’s looming liability addresses long-standing pay issues dating back to 2017, while also securing a five-year contract in the future.
“I told voters that I would honor their decision to put public safety first and treat our brave paramedics and firefighters the fair and equitable way they deserve. I am proud to deliver on that promise,” said Mayor John Whitmire. “An agreement of this nature is absolutely necessary to recruit and retain firefighters in the quality and quantity needed to serve Texas’ largest city. I want to reiterate that it helps avoid further unnecessary litigation costs, the uncertainty of multiple decisions from a court or arbitration panel, and allows us to move forward together.”
The decision ensures fiscal responsibility while prioritizing fair compensation for vital public safety personnel. The court bonds, issued by the city of Houston, will cover back pay owed to firefighters for the eight years they worked without a contract. This approach rectifies past grievances and safeguards the city’s financial stability by ensuring budgetary capacity for a new five-year contract with competitive salaries essential for recruiting and retaining firefighters.
Under the terms of the agreement, all current firefighters, retired firefighters and the families of firefighters who have died since 2017 will receive fixed payments for wages owed through 2017. In addition to back pay, the agreement makes the temporary 18% permanent. pay increases granted to firefighters in 2021 and mandates additional 10% increases on July 1, 2024. With subsequent pay increases specified through 2029, firefighters’ total pay will increase by up to 34% over the life of the contract.
“This agreement is like no other we have ever seen, or perhaps will ever see, and is best for the city to recruit and retain the numbers needed for the quality fire department that Houstonians deserve,” said HPFFA President Patrick M. “Marty” Lancton. “This shows the impact of Mayor John Whitmire’s leadership and cooperation. Victory belongs to every Houston firefighter who sacrificed over the past eight years. Let us remember the challenges we overcame and the unity that brought us to this resolution. Today, we are on the cusp of a new chapter that honors our hard work and dedication and ensures a better future for all our brothers and sisters and their families.”
Firefighters will maintain all existing benefits while having access to new incentives, assignment bonuses, vacation pay and increased uniform allowances. The city and HPFFA have agreed to new incentives to improve the recruitment and retention of firefighters, which is desperately needed. The contract also includes new provisions to facilitate the transfer of firefighters from other area departments, making the Houston Fire Department once again an attractive destination for top talent.
The design of the agreement carefully avoids the potential for costly budgetary ramifications and legal fees and expenses, which have been reported in the media and by third parties to be in the hundreds of millions and to increase in the future.
Next Monday, lawyers for the city and HPFFA will outline a proposed settlement and judgment for the judge overseeing the legal dispute.
Mayor Whitmire and Lancton are planning to hold a joint news conference following the court action next week. Details on time and location will be announced in a subsequent media alert.