$165,000 Backpay: Houston Firefighters Secure Checks Amid $1B City Financial Challenge – Check it Out!

According to ABC13 News, thousands of Houston firefighters lined up on Saturday at the NRG Arena to receive their checks from a $650 million settlement with the City of Houston. Nearly 5,000 firefighters collected their checks with more expected to do so on Sunday. This settlement covers seven years of backpay that firefighters earned while working without a contract. The long dispute between the union and the city happened under former Mayor Sylvester Turner‘s administration. During this time Houston firefighters received lower pay compared to those in similarly sized cities.

The issue went to court multiple times and the city was eventually forced to negotiate with the union again. Mayor John Whitmire who was endorsed by the union made resolving this dispute a key campaign promise. In March, a deal was reached including 34% raises for firefighters over the next five years and $650 million in back pay. However, there has been ongoing debate about the amount and how the city will fund it. City Controller Chris Hollins responsible for certifying financial items for the council noted that the city doesn’t have a lot of cash on hand. As a result, they will need to issue a bond to cover the settlement which will ultimately cost the city over $1 billion when considering interest. In June, Hollins delayed the deal for several weeks due to concerns about the city’s finances but he eventually approved it before the July 1 deadline for the new fiscal year. Hollins stated that firefighters deserve fair pay but he also highlighted the lack of a clear funding plan for the settlement. During a city council meeting on July 31 Mayor Whitmire accused Hollins of expressing political views but Hollins emphasized that his concerns were strictly about the city’s finances.

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$165,000 Backpay: Houston Firefighters Secure Checks Amid $1B City Financial Challenge – Check it Out! (PHOTO: YouTube)

Furthermore, The average check amount for firefighters is $165,000 which breaks down to about $20,000 extra per year over the seven years. Some firefighters will receive even more with some checks being double the average amount. This settlement marks the end of a long and challenging period for Houston firefighters ensuring they are compensated fairly for their service. However, the financial impact on the city remains a topic of concern and debate among officials and the community.

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