Nearly 5,000 firefighters lined up on Saturday at the NRG Arena to claim their checks in a $650 million settlement with the City of Houston, with more expected to collect on Sunday.
The checks make up for seven years of backpay that Houston firefighters worked without a contract due to a stalemate between the union and the city under former Mayor Sylvester Turner’s administration.
City Controller Chris Hollins noted that firefighters received lower pay at that time than those who worked in similarly sized cities.
RELATED: City of Houston delivers $650M in backpay settlement checks to firefighters
The case went to court several times, and ultimately, the city was forced to return to the negotiating table with the union.
Mayor John Whitmire, endorsed by the union, made one of his main campaign promises last year about ending the city’s legal dispute with firefighters.
A deal was made in March, including 34% raises for firefighters for the next five years and $650 million in back pay. However, elected officials and the community have been contentious about the amount and where the money would come from.