The City of Houston announced that a tentative agreement has been reached that will resolve all outstanding pay issues for Houston firefighters dating back to 2017.
“A world-class city like Houston deserves a well-funded fire department to attract and retain talented individuals who are willing to risk their safety for us during our times of need,” said Mayor John Whitmire. “Houston’s fire department should be at or near the top among the major cities in our state. This agreement resolves a long - festering pay dispute with firefighters, avoids further unnecessary litigation costs, and allows us to move forward together.”
This was the fulfillment of a promise the Mayor made during the campaign.
"I committed to Houstonians that I would resolve this issue beginning on my first day in office. I am pleased that we have reached this tentative agreement within the first two months. I will ask City Council members and all Houstonians to support this arrangement once final details are settled with our partners at the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association.”
It took Whitmire seven weeks to end the dispute that started seven years ago with then Mayor Sylvester Turner.
“This is historic,” said HPFFA President Patrick M. “Marty” Lancton. “Mayor Whitmire promised we would get this done by the end of February, and he has kept that promise. In just seven weeks, we have resolved a dispute the previous administration kicked down the road for eight years. It is amazing to witness what happens when leadership is unafraid to do the right thing.”