HOUSTON – The City of Houston is hoping that its latest Harris County District Court filing will finally put an end on Proposition B.
Just before the three-day Presidents’ Day weekend began, the city’s legal counsel entered a summary for a motion judgment into a lawsuit brought by the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association, IAFF Local 341.
Prop B, which garnered voter approval last November, requires the city to bring Houston firefighter pay in line with that of Houston police officers.
As the proposition’s strongest critic, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner issued a statement after the city’s filing:
“The City of Houston has filed a motion for a summary judgment in response to the Firefighters Union’s lawsuit so that the remaining legal questions regarding Proposition B can be resolved expeditiously.
“Simultaneously, the City is moving forward with implementing Prop B while it attempts to negotiate with the union to phase in pay raises at an annual cost of more than $100 million.
“Until the judge issues a decision and while discussions continue, Mayor Turner has asked all departments to prepare for Prop. B implementation which would require employee layoffs and cuts in services to citizens.
“Both courses of action are consistent with the mayor’s stated position to implement Prop. B without creating further financial instability for the city.”
Turner has claimed that Prop B could wipe out jobs within the fire department and other city services.