Houston Firefighters approve new contract after 8 year dispute with City

The Houston Firefighters approved a new contract and settlement with the City of Houston over the weekend, with 94% of those voting in favor of the deal. The settlement and new contract come as a key piece of new mayor John Whitmire's agenda, since taking office on January 1st.

Former Houston mayor Sylvester Turner had years of acrimonious negotiations with the Houston Firefighters.

The agreement provides for $650 Million in lump sum payments for the 8 years that Firefighters worked without a contract, and also provides for raises, new incentives, allowances, bonuses and other pay features. It is expected that the new contract will help recruit and retain additional firefighters. 500 firefighters have quit or retired in the past 8 years.