This Week: Committee Receives Update on Fire Union Petition Budget Impact; District C Observes Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur; Bilingual Poll Workers Sought for November 6th Election

Committee Receives Update on Fire Union Petition Budget Impact

During a meeting of the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Council Committee, Finance Director Tantri Emo and Houston Fire Chief Sam Peña shared an updated presentation on the financial impact of a proposed amendment to the Houston City Charter that would mandate “pay parity” between Houston’s fire and police department employees.

The initiative, proposed by the Houston Professional Fire Fighter’s Union, defines “parity” on the basis of job classification and seniority. Differences between the two departments in job duties, work schedule, education, training, and market average pay are not considered by the petition.

Director Emo noted that, should the measure pass, the first-year budget impact is projected to be $98 million, and $296 million in the first three years, depending on whether the police department’s current ongoing salary negotiations result in additional raises. This is equivalent to a 25% pay increase.

Chief Peña shared that addressing this cost will lead to a reduction of up to 931 Fire Department employees, or 24% of their department. He also predicted a major restructuring of the department to accommodate that loss, including civilianization of staff, revamping their EMS service delivery model, less ability to maintain and replace equipment, and transitioning from the current staffing model to a 3-shift work schedule.

On Wednesday, September 5th, Mayor Turner hosted the first in a series of eleven town hall meetings on this issue in District C. Additional meetings will take place in each Council District.

District C Observes Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur

This weekend marks the commencement of the Jewish High Holy Days. The first of these is Rosh Hashanah, which begins on Sunday, September 9th at sundown. Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year and is followed ten days later by Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Those of the Jewish faith traditionally gather in synagogue for both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and refrain from work on these holy days. In observance of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the District C office will be closed on Monday, September 10th and Wednesday, September 19th.

Bilingual Poll Workers Sought for November 6th Election

In an effort to recruit Election Day poll workers, including bilingual English and Spanish, Vietnamese, and Chinese speakers, for the upcoming November 6, 2018 General and Special Elections, the Harris County Clerk’s Elections division is once again launching the Step up to Serve campaign on their Twitter and Facebook social media sites. Poll workers are the backbone of Harris County elections. Working at a polling location during an election is a unique opportunity for citizens to step up and serve their neighbors as a PAID poll worker and to learn about the voting process. From September 4 through September 29, the #StepUpToServe social media campaign will target high school students, civic-minded professionals, and retirees, with the goal of recruiting 350 new Election Day poll workers. For more information, please contact the Harris County Clerk’s Elections Division at www.HarrisVotes.com; on Twitter: @HarrisVotes; on Facebook: Facebook.com/HarrisCountyElections