HOUSTON – In a move aligning with his campaign promises, Mayor John Whitmire took a significant step toward resolving the longstanding contract dispute between the City of Houston and the Houston Professional Firefighters Association.
After a years-long impasse during Mayor Sylvester Turner’s administration, Mayor Whitmire met with representatives of the firefighters’ union on Wednesday to kickstart contract negotiations.
Within the first five minutes of the discussion, Mayor Whitmire directed City Attorney Arturo Michel to withdraw the appeal of the city’s challenge to the court’s consideration of past fiscal years 2018 through 2024 backpay. This marked the initiation of the process to conclude the protracted legal battle over fair pay and benefits for Houston firefighters.
“I want the City to remove itself from the court process as much as possible and focus on resolving this long-standing dispute as fairly and quickly as possible,” Whitmire said in a statement. “I stated repeatedly on the campaign trail and in my inaugural address that our first responders will not have to fear court action during the Whitmire Administration. I am following through on that promise.”
Both Mayor Whitmire and Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association President Patrick M. “Marty” Lancton instructed their lead attorneys, City Attorney Arturo Michel and HPFFA attorney Troy Blakeney, to begin meetings this week and maintain constant communication until an agreement on a path forward is reached.
“Within 72 hours of taking office, Mayor Whitmire is moving forward to implement the promises he made to Houston firefighters during the campaign,” Lancton said. “After eight years of acrimony, we are finally headed in the right direction. It is hard to express how much it means to Houston firefighters and their families to have a leader who respects them and will follow through on what he says.”
The contract negotiations come after a contentious period that began in 2017 when the firefighters’ latest contract expired, leading to an impasse between the union and Mayor Turner’s administration. The union subsequently sued the city, alleging a violation of state law governing the compensation of police officers and firefighters.
In May, the Texas Legislature stepped in, enacting a bill that required arbitration to address disputes of this nature. The bill’s primary sponsor was then-State Senator Whitmire. Former Mayor Turner contested the constitutionality of the bill. However, in mid-December, State District Judge Lauren Reeder affirmed the constitutionality of the bill. Consequently, the judge directed both the city and the fire union to resume contract negotiations.
Whitmire has been a vocal supporter of Houston firefighters throughout his mayoral campaign and succeeded Turner earlier this week.
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