HOUSTON — The court hearing to look at the deal between the City of Houston and the fire department has been postponed, according to the president of the Houston Professional Firefighters Association.
The agreement is still expected to move forward, ending a years-long dispute. The postponement of the court date is mainly to look over and update the paperwork.
Over the weekend, the deal received even more support. The Houston firefighters union said Sunday night that 94% of its members who voted over the past few days supported the deal. That agreement was announced last week and would end an eight-years-long dispute between the city and the firefighters union.
The $650 million settlement would include back pay for wages dating back to 2017. It also ensures a five-year contract going forward.
Houston Professional Firefighters Association President Marty Lancton said we'll learn more about the structure of the deal, including allowing the city avoid expensive legal fees and budget ramifications.
“What you're going to see, is the way that it structured is that the liability that the city old the firefighters we made not carry over,” he said.
Mayor John Whitmire is making good on one of his campaign promises to end the dispute. He said in a statement he wanted to put public safety first and treat paramedics and firefighters in a fair and equitable manner.
KHOU 11 News is still working to learn when this deal will get in front of a judge and move closer to being enacted.