The interim pact, which still needs to be voted on by City Council and the union membership, calls for elimination of guaranteed holidays through June 30, 2014 and other changes designed to control overtime costs going forward. In addition, firefighters will receive a two-percent across-the-board pay increase and a one-time uniform allowance with a total value of $3.64 million.
The city is agreeing to keep all fire trucks in service, provided that the two-week average of unscheduled absences does not exceed 35 members per day. Should this two-week average be exceeded, the city reserves the right to remove units from service. Daily staffing levels will also determine whether the seven ambulances removed from service on February 25, 2014 will be placed back in service or remain idled every day through the end of the fiscal year.
"We are showing good faith with this pay raise and commitment to keeping apparatus in service," said Mayor Parker. "I am asking the firefighters out in the field to also show good faith by showing up for work, as scheduled."
When asked about the interim agreement, Sky-Eagle said, "This is a win for the citizens of Houston and the firefighters are proud to work with Chief Garrison and the mayor to stop any further EMS units and fire apparatus from being removed from service."
The interim agreement also includes the following provisions:
- An improved work schedule program will continue to be developed and will be implemented in the first full pay period following July 1, 2014
- A four-year payout, instead of a lump sum termination payment, for retiring firefighters, at least through the remainder of FY14
- An agreement by both parties that a future collective bargaining agreement will include the elimination of the District Vacation Bank concept beginning with the vacation scheduling for 2015
- A five percent cap on guaranteed holidays from July 1, 2014 to the end of the future collective bargaining agreement the two sides anticipate reaching
Subject to expedited approval by the rank and file and City Council, the interim agreement will be in effect through the end of the current fiscal year on June 30, 2014. In the meantime, negotiations will continue on a new three-year contract that would be effective July 1, 2014. Both sides are pledging to continue good faith progress on wages, incentives and other staffing proposals that will reduce the possibility of another overtime crisis.
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