x
Breaking News
More () »

Mayor Turner: 'No layoffs, no demotions' after judge rules Prop B unconstitutional

Last Friday, Mayor Sylvester Turner announced the city reconstructed its payroll system to accommodate Proposition B.

HOUSTON — A state district court judge has ruled the proposition to match firefighter's pay with police officers unconstitutional.

Judge Tanya Garrison ruled the city can't pass a law that goes against the state's existing collective bargaining law. 

Mayor Turner shared the news during the middle of Wednesday's city council meeting. He said Judge Garrison's ruling kicks in immediately and that means no more 29 percent raises for firefighters mandated by Prop B.  

The Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association said the court's ruling on Prop B is a "disappointment."

As of Wednesday afternoon, the union already filed paperwork to appeal the ruling.

"The mayor's vindictive, taxpayer-funded campaign against Houston firefighter families continues. While this fight goes on, we will continue to deliver excellent service, be good stewards of city resources, and give back to the communities we serve," the union said in a statement. 

Mayor Sylvester Turner said Prop B being ruled unconstitutional means there will be no layoffs of firefighters and city workers. There will also be no demotions within the fire department. 

The Houston Police Union responded to the ruling saying, "We are certainly pleased with Judge Garrison's decision today to rule that Proposition B is invalid and illegal. It was the HPOU's position that the existing law governing how Houston Fire Fighters negotiate their pay was in complete conflict with Prop B and the Judge agreed."

In November 2018, the police union filed a lawsuit against Prop B, saying that it was unconstitutional because it conflicts with the state’s government code, and is beyond what the Legislature intended when it enacted the Fire and Police Employment Relations Act (FPERA). 

RELATED: Houston police union sues city, firefighters union to halt 'pay parity'

Last Friday, Mayor Sylvester Turner announced that the city reconstructed its payroll system to accommodate Proposition B, which addressed pay parity between the city's firefighters and police officers. 

He said more than $27.4 million was issued to 3,905 firefighters in a lump sum amount to include retroactive payments from January. 

But the fire union says the paychecks were still wrong and the city cannot account for what was (or was not) paid.

"Sylvester Turner still refuses to disclose whether, how and when he will fully equalize pay and incentives for Houston fire and police as voters directed six months ago in the election," fire union president Marty Lancton said.

RELATED: Prop B update: Houston mayor, fire union spar over pay parity implementation

RELATED: Houston firefighter gets best, worst news in same week

RELATED: Efforts to reach middle ground on firefighter raises have failed, Mayor Turner announces

RELATED: More than 200 Houston firefighters given 60-day layoff notices

Turner, however, has said Prop B did not come with a funding source and with the city under a revenue cap, it would have to layoff employees and eliminate vacant positions to fund what he has called a "very bad financial policy for the city."

Lancton said Turner is a dishonest politician intent on destroying the fire department and punishing firefighters' families. While the mayor stressed the importance of all city employees.

Turner said firefighters deserve a pay raise that the city can afford, and the city will negotiate.

Before You Leave, Check This Out