Houston officials approve bond to pay $650 million settlement for firefighters – Houston Public Media

The Houston City Council on Wednesday approved a $650 million bond to cover the cost of a back pay settlement between the city and the Houston firefighters union, but it came after a heated debate over whether approval of the deal should come down to a public vote.

The regulation, which is part of a so anticipated A $1.5 billion collective bargaining agreement would cover back pay for current and former firefighters. Although officials approved the bond, they are only halfway there. City Comptroller Chris Hollins must certify the agreement himself before it can be approved.

Legally, Hollins must approve financial items before they can be discussed at the city council. As of the end of Wednesday’s meeting, Hollins had not yet certified the bargaining agreement, further delaying approval of the deal. Hollins also withheld approval last week, saying he didn’t have enough time to calculate the financial impact the contract would have on the city’s wallet.

Hollins did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Houston firefighters have been working without a contract since 2017, sparking a nearly decade-long wage dispute between the union and the administration of former Mayor Sylvester Turner, who consistently fought demands to raise firefighters’ salaries through a citywide referendum and a lengthy court battle. However, just three months after Whitmire took office earlier this year, the dispute was called off and the city’s $1.5 billion collective bargaining agreement with the Houston Professional Firefighters Association came into being.

Under the agreement, Houston firefighters will receive 18% pay raises and another 10% increase on July 1, as well as additional pay increases through 2029. The deal also provides $650 million back pay for firefighters who worked after 2017. Those who died on the job will also be eligible for payments.

At Wednesday’s meeting, several council members suggested the proposed bylaw be added to the ballot later this year, but Mayor John Whitmire rejected the idea. He said going to voters would “gut out” the proposed negotiation agreement, forcing both sides to go back to court, ultimately costing the city more money in legal fees, according to Whitmire.

“The court is prepared, aggressively, to go to trial, which will expose us to fines up to twice what the deal was negotiated for,” he said. “Starting from scratch – most people would say that’s irresponsible. »

Wednesday, Council Member Edward Pollard questioned Whitmire about the origins of the $650 million payment, repeatedly asking how the settlement amount was reached. Whitmire said the city initially proposed about $400 million, although the mayor says that’s a “ballpark number.”

In the end, the bond was ultimately approved in a 14-3 vote: Council member Tiffany Thomas, Mary Nan Huffman and Pollard voted no.

During a 15-minute break after the discussion, union president Marty Lancton claimed Hollins was deliberately delaying certification of the deal to make a “political point.”

“It doesn’t seem very difficult to understand, it seems like it’s a question of politics playing out,” Lancton said. “At the end of the day, the city comptroller knows exactly what he’s doing.”

Despite the delay, Lancton said he was hopeful the deal would go through. However, he added that they would be prepared to return to court if the deal fell through.

“We are one and almost final step towards where (firefighters) can take care of their families, they can stop worrying about being attacked when they get to their job and they can go out there and protect the citizens of Houston,” Lancton said.