Houston Fire Fighters to Get Almost 10 Percent Pay Raise

March 3, 2009 – Over the last year, Houston, Texas -- like most cities -- has been hit hard by the recession. When Hurricane Ike made landfall in September 2008, the City experienced an increased number of financial challenges as well. But despite the economic shortcomings, Houston Local 341 has negotiated a positive two-year contract with the City that includes wage increases and safe staffing measures.

“We negotiated a two-year contract, rather than the traditional four-year, because both sides recognized the seriousness of the recession and the devastation left behind by Hurricane Ike,” says Jeff Caynon, president of Houston Local 341. “All things considered, I believe we got a fair deal.”

One of the most significant parts of the contract includes a nearly 10 percent wage increase over the course of the two-year contract. After the IAFF provided wage comparisons, the City agreed to award Local 341 fire fighters with a 4 percent increase in July 2009, a 3.75 percent increase in July 2010 and a 2 percent increase in December 2010. As a result Houston fire fighter pay will be closer to that of fire fighters in Dallas and other Texas cities.

The contract also calls for four additional incident command technicians to help fire chiefs manage fire ground operations. And 75 percent of the City’s medic units will now be staffed with two personnel. Under the old contract, only 14 were staffed with two; now it will be about 38.

Furthermore, the City agreed to provide a line-of-duty death funeral benefit up to $10,000. “This is a clause that we hope we never have to use,” says Caynon. “However, it helps ensure that our families will get the assistance they need in case the worst happens.”

The contract expires December 31, 2010.