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Houston's $1 Billion labor settlement
City Controller Hollins addressed Houston's finances, including a $1 billion labor settlement by the Mayor for first responders. The analysis drew criticism from both the Mayor and firefighters.
HOUSTON - The deal provides $650 million in back pay for the seven years the first responders worked without a contract - and guarantees wage hikes and benefits over the next five years aimed at making the department more competitive.
As for the analysis from Hollins - let’s just say it was not well received by either the mayor or the firefighters.
Mayor John Whitmire: "It does disappoint me that the very Monday after the save lives over the weekend. Words matter - that people were trashing their future compensation. Even saying if the city had paid them more over the last eight years, we wouldn't be looking at such a debt. Really?"