Houston’s professional fire fighters won a legal battle in the Texas Supreme Court regarding a six-year contract dispute with city officials

The court ruled that the City of Houston violated state law by refusing to submit to the legal provisions to resolve the contract dispute with the local fire fighters union

Houston’s Local 341 professional fire fighters have secured a major legal victory in their long-running six-year contract dispute with city officials. The Texas Supreme Court has ruled that the City of Houston violated state law by failing to submit to legal provisions for resolving its contract dispute with the union, with the two rulings affecting all professional fire fighters across Texas.

The court also struck down Proposition B, a voter referendum which called for equal pay between police officers and fire fighters in Houston. As a result, the court has ordered the City of Houston to comply with the existing legal process for resolving the stalemate, which it unsuccessfully challenged. If Mayor Sylvester Turner continues to refuse to negotiate a fair contract, a judge will determine the financial terms of Local 341’s contract for one year.

According to Local 341 President Patrick “Marty” Lancton, the legal battle has been prolonged by Mayor Turner, who hired “high-paid” labor attorneys, expecting the fire fighters to accept pay and benefits that were below standard for comparable municipalities. He added that Turner is the first mayor in Houston’s history to fail to reach a contract agreement with fire fighters.

General President Edward Kelly emphasized the importance of a fair contract, saying it benefits both fire fighters and the people they swore to protect. In related news, the Texas Legislature is considering a bill sponsored by State Senator John Whitmire that requires binding arbitration by an independent third party when collective bargaining fails, aimed at preventing similar stalemates in the future. Kelly praised Local 341 for their efforts in securing the victory.