HOUSTON — Houston Mayor John Whitmire and the firefighters union announced details Thursday of a historic deal to end an eight-year impasse over pay. Both sides say the $650 million settlement resolves the bitter battle over wages that dates back to 2017 while ensuring a five-year contract moving forward.
Editor's note: The above video originally aired the day that a tentative agreement was announced.
Under the settlement terms, all current firefighters, retired firefighters, and the families of firefighters who have died since 2017 will receive lump sum payments for back pay.
The agreement also makes a 2021 temporary 18% pay increase permanent and mandates additional raises of 10% on July 1, 2024.
With the pay hikes through 2029, the City said total firefighter pay will increase by up to 34% over the life of the contract.
Former Mayor Sylvester Turner had long insisted the city couldn’t afford voter-approved pay raises for firefighters, while union leaders complained they were losing staff and recruits to better-paying departments.
Three days after being sworn in as mayor in January, Whitmire ordered the city to end all legal action against the firefighters and start negotiations.
“I told the voters I would honor their decision to put public safety first and treat our brave paramedics and firefighters in the fair and equitable manner they deserve. I am proud to deliver on that promise,” Whitmire said. “An agreement of this nature is absolutely necessary to recruit and retain firefighters in the quality and numbers needed to serve the largest city in Texas."
Judgment bonds will be issued to cover the back pay owed for the eight years firefighters worked without a contract.
"This agreement is like none other we have ever seen, or perhaps will ever see and the best for the City to recruit and retain the necessary numbers for the quality fire department Houstonians deserve," HPFFA President Marty Lancton said. "The victory belongs to every Houston firefighter who has sacrificed for the last eight years."
Firefighters will keep all existing benefits while receiving new incentives, assignment bonuses, holiday pay, and increased uniform allowances.
“We can rebuild a fire department that is world-class. We can retain and recruit firefighters," Lancton said on the day the tentative agreement was announced.
Next Monday, lawyers for the City and HPFFA will outline a proposed settlement and judgment for the judge overseeing the legal dispute.