With the assistance of crucial resources from the IAFF, Houston’s Local 341 members secured the election of Mayor John Whitmire amid ongoing contract disputes.
The new mayor took swift action, signaling a commitment to resolving the issues by ordering the City Attorney to drop an appeal related to backpay disputes.
In a Q&A interview, Local 341 President Marty Lancton and Board of Directors member Roy Cormier shed light on the Local’s political efforts and the pivotal role IAFF resources played in ensuring electoral success.
Patrick ‘Marty’ Lancton – Houston, TX Local 341 President
Q: Why was the election of Mayor Whitmire a pivotal step in helping Houston fire fighters?
A: What the City of Houston and the fire fighters have endured over the past decade, and more significantly, in the last seven to eight years under the previous administration, sends a signal nationally: politics matter. The leadership in the city, the budget allocation, and the respect for fire fighters and their families matter. We must examine how we arrived here, assess current needs, and determine the path forward, finding strength and solidarity through the IAFF. The last mayor, Sylvester Turner, arguably the worst in history, led to the loss of 500 fire fighters and legal battles. He sued against collective bargaining rights in Texas, marking the first time in history. Local 341 defended it, leading to a victory in the Texas Supreme Court. As fire fighters and leaders, when one door closes, we find a window; if the window is closed, we cut a hole in the roof. We never give up on what we must do for our members.
During the last election cycle, with the previous mayor’s term-limited, fire fighters recognized the importance of actively participating in (electoral politics) to ensure good leadership. John Whitmire, a long-time friend of fire fighters and the longest-serving member of the Texas Senate at the time, played a crucial role. Supporting and actively engaging in his campaign, we helped secure Mayor Whitmire’s election, marking a positive shift from the challenges of the past administration. This illustrates our commitment to taking not just a role but the primary role in advocating for our members and those who support us because we built those relationships in the front end.
Q: How did you ensure voters mobilized to the polls?
A: We have PACs and special PACs focused on targeting voters to increase voter turnout. We are present at the polls, utilizing signs and actively engaging with the public. Regardless of location or city, we recognize citizens’ support for fire fighters. The question then becomes: how do we mobilize and make it work (to our local’s benefit)?
Houston fire fighters did what we do best. We took to the streets, not only supporting campaigns but also being vocal, resulting in a significant margin that got Mayor Whitmire elected. The significance lies in the fact that seven to eight years of acrimony, the enduring onslaught during the last administration, changed in a single day with Mayor Whitmire in office.
Whitmire has demonstrated leadership through action, not mere words. His first official meeting upon taking office, within five minutes, addressed legal challenges and lawsuits against first responders. He directed the city attorney to drop all pending issues and instructed our attorney to sit down as often as necessary to ensure the resolution of past liabilities dating back to 2017 owed to Houston fire fighters and their families, along with a forward-looking contract.
Q: Why was the win so important for Houston fire fighters?
A: The credit goes to the members of Local 341 for what we have endured. Seven years ago, we took a vote, deciding whether we would be a mere social club or take the responsibility to ensure fair compensation, wages, benefits, and working conditions. The members took a line, a stand, and it has been a grueling seven to eight years.
Despite facing natural disasters, the pandemic, numerous events, tragedies, and line-of-duty deaths, our membership has stood together. Even in Texas, a red and right-to-work state, our actions sent a message to mayors across the U.S. Other local leaders have reached out, inspired by our efforts.
MArty lancton, local 341 president
Our members, who have been kicked for so long, are now hopeful. To answer the question more succinctly, members are feeling something they have not felt in a long time—hope, cautiously optimistic based on Houston fire fighters’ treatment. They see this hope in action, recognizing that this fight is not something Houston fire fighters asked for, but they finish what they start. However, this fight continues until all our members and their families are taken care of, ensuring they feel lasting hope.
Q: How did IAFF resources help in Local 341’s political fight?
A: Local leaders, pick up the phone, call, and be amazed at the IAFF’s response. Whether it is data with GIS mapping or a budget report analyzing your city’s budget. Even when the city claims to have no money, IAFF experts and funds are there to support this fight. Cities across the U.S. are keenly aware that the money they are wasting to fight us is not theirs; it belongs to the taxpayers. They hope we give up, that we lack the drive. Despite having microphones, we hold the power. We have tapped into every resource the IAFF has.
General President Edward Kelly and General Secretary-Treasurer Frank Líma have consistently supported our members, coming down whenever asked and providing necessary resources. The impact of what happens here extends beyond Texas, catching the attention of mayors nationwide. When mayors gather at their conferences, they discuss how to deal with such issues. Anyone attempting to challenge fire fighters should reconsider, as we declare in Houston: we were here before you, and we will be here after you. If you think you can diminish the drive and resolve of fire fighters, you are mistaken.
Q: What is your advice to other locals and members about being politically active?
A: My advice is this: just because somebody gets into office and is elected with one more vote than the other person, it does not make them the smartest person in the room. Some of the most talented and intelligent people I know are fire fighters, and their drive and resolve manifest every day in the calls that we respond to. We go to people on their worst day, handling situations that we do not always know what we are getting into, but we always handle it. I encourage people to realize that politicians like to say things and get credit for things. In my opinion, no one holds a candle to the capabilities of fire fighters in the political arena. We are living proof of that. Houston fire fighters have had every odd stacked against us, yet we have come out triumphant. We have come out on top. It is because we may not have liked the last person sitting in a political seat, but what are you going to do about it? My response is how you strategize, and plan today will impact your membership and your firm not just now but five years from now. Understand that what you are building needs care in the present and addressing current issues. We all have bad actors. We have all experienced that in our roles, but I hold people accountable. Be principled in what you do, just as you are every day on the job. Realize that politics is the only game in town, and nobody can do it better than fire fighters.
Roy Cormier shares details about the group’s political initiatives to ensure the election of a new mayor. He highlighted forthcoming priorities on their political agenda aimed at backing members in the fire service.
Q: What encouraged Houston fire fighters to join the campaign to elect Mayor John Whitmire?
A: Over the past two mayoral terms, we have faced challenges with an unsupportive mayor, Sylvester Turner. Despite our initial endorsement, Turner quickly turned against us, resulting in a prolonged period of seven years without a contract and we have been trying to rectify that wrong. We were finally able to get a viable candidate to run for mayor. Mayor Whitmire is a former state senator, and so he ran for mayor and was successful at winning. Beforehand, Whitmire was aware that several people were encouraging him to run. During this legislative session, one of our key initiatives was advancing our collective bargaining bill. He actively supported the bill and, as we had previously discussed, he intended to champion the cause of fire fighters. This laid the groundwork and instilled confidence in our fire fighters, encouraging them to actively support and promote his candidacy for mayor.
Houston fire fighters proudly supported Whitmire’s bid for mayor.
Q: What inspired members to act?
A: We were trying to correct wrongs from the past. Turner did a number on the department, and we were 500 members short just because everyone had lost faith in the fire department. So, we were trying to correct those issues and in addition to the fact that we need a contract moving forward.
What we saw in this new mayor was an opportunity to educate him on what is important and everything we do involves politics. We had to play the game to be successful in what we needed.
Roy cormier, board of directors, local 341
Q: How did your membership and the community react to Mayor Whitmire’s win?
A: We have an active Facebook page, and we are getting a lot of comments of, “Job well done.” As far as membership attendance at the last couple of board meetings, we have people who are very energetic with this new excitement, and we have someone ready to take on the fire department issues, and we have someone who understands our importance in having a role in politics.
Q: What is next on Local 341’s political agenda?
A: We have a presumptive cancer law in place in Texas, so we want to refine that a little bit; there are some cancers we see in fire fighters that are not covered in that. So, those are some things we can revisit, and making sure we have everything fire fighters need set into law so that they will not have to fight.
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