By: Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association Houston  firefighters overwhelmingly support the proposed settlement to end their eight-year contract impasse with the City of Houston.  The agreement, which a judge will receive on Monday, won an unprecedented 94% approval rating during 48 hours of voting over the weekend. “ This resounding show of support from the rank and  le underscores the historic significance of this agreement and positions us well heading into Monday’s meeting with the judge overseeing our contract impasse proceedings,” said Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association President Patrick M. “Marty” Lancton. “After eight years of sacrifice, our  firefighters  finally feel valued and respected.  e morale boost is evident in their endorsement of the settlement terms.” The agreement provides $650 million in lump sum payments to cover back pay owed to  firefighters for the eight years they worked without a contract and includes a new  ve-year contract. All active  firefighters, retired  firefighters, the families of  firefighters who died in the line of duty since 2017 and those who left for medical reasons are eligible for the lump sum payouts. In addition to the back pay, the agreement makes permanent the temporary 18% pay hikes  firefighters received three years ago. It adds another 10% increase on July 1, 2024, and specifies additional annual pay bumps through 2029.  The agreement maintains existing benefits and introduces new incentives, assignment bonuses, holiday pay, and increased uniform allowances. “ This contract is designed to facilitate star recruitment and retention,” said Lancton. “We lost 500  firefighters over the last eight years. It’s time to make the Houston Fire Department an attractive place to work again. We owe a debt of gratitude to Mayor John Whitmire.  Thanks to his leadership, we can put the last eight years behind us and move forward together.” Judgment bonds will cover the cost of the back pay owed to  firefighters, protecting the city’s  financial stability while ensuring budgetary capacity for the costs associated with the new  five-year contract.

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