Houston and Firefighters' Union Strike Tentative Contract Deal After Years Without One

The City of Houston and its firefighters' union have reached a tentative agreement on a new labor contract, ending a standoff that has lasted years. The specifics of the deal have not been made public.

Mayor John Whitmire announced the agreement in a press release on Thursday evening, February 29. He said it would close out disputes that had stretched across eight years. Houston's firefighters have been without a contract since 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," Whitmire said. He added that the agreement settles a "long-festering pay dispute with firefighters, avoids further unnecessary litigation costs, and allows us to move forward together."

Patrick M. "Marty" Lancton, president of the Houston Professional Fire Fighters' Association, gave Whitmire credit for the breakthrough. According to Lancton, the mayor had set a goal of finishing the deal by the end of February, and the union was glad the calendar included a leap day this year. Lancton said negotiators left City Hall at 8:15 the previous night with a tentative agreement in hand. He said the union looks forward to "rebuilding a world-class fire department and continuing serving the citizens of Houston."

Lancton said the contract deals with both past liability and future compensation. He declined to give details, however, until a judge has approved the terms. "We cannot discuss that based on the confidentiality rules of the court," he said, adding that the union will release the information once it is able to, and that members will hear first.

The union endorsed Whitmire in his campaign for mayor. After taking office, he made a deal with firefighters one of his first priorities. He immediately instructed City Attorney Arturo Michel to drop all remaining legal challenges to such an agreement, which dated back to the administration of former Mayor Sylvester Turner.

Whitmire said he was pleased the tentative agreement came together within his first two months in office. He said he will ask City Council members and all Houstonians to back the arrangement once final details are worked out with the Houston Professional Fire Fighters' Association.