Houston City Council members seeking clarity about wage deal with firefighters

HOUSTON - While progress is being made on finalizing the Houston firefighters’ settlement, some city council members are calling for a closer look at the $650 million agreement. Two city council members are asking for more clarity when it comes to the multi-million dollar settlement. 

Mayor John Whitmire’s administration and the Houston Firefighter’s Union appeared in court Monday to finalize a settlement that resolves the years-long contract dispute. 

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The agreement gives Houston firefighters $650 million in back pay and 34% raises over the next five years. 

"Today was a huge step forward in getting to finality on the eight-year struggle," said Marty Lancton, of the Houston Professional Firefighters Association. 

A civil court judge was notified of the confidential settlement that both sides agreed to. 

"The City of Houston’s bond council is making sure that all the paperwork is in order, and so, once that happens, then we will be here, and she will do the final sign-off," said Lancton. 

However, some city council members are weary of the contract and are questioning the terms of the agreement and how the more than half a billion dollars will be paid back. 

"How do you put this out and not believe that people would ask questions?" said Council Member Tiffany Thomas. 

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The same day, Council Members Edward Pollard and Tiffany Thomas sent Mayor Whitmire a letter asking for financial clarification on the deal.

"This may be a good agreement, but we don’t know the details. We don’t know what concessions were made. This is a negotiation, then what concessions did the fire union put forth? How did we get to this exact number?" said Pollard.

Both council members agree that the city’s firefighters should be paid fairly, but they say they haven’t received enough details on the settlement. 

"I think that we should have a detailed understanding of what that is. How we are going to pay for that? Because a bond has to be repaid," said Thomas. 

A judge must still sign off on the agreement. 

Mayor Whitmire’s administration and the HPFFA are hoping to get final approval in June on the settlement.