Conroe Fire Bargaining Unit Dispute

**Conroe Firefighters’ Collective Bargaining Bid Hits City Council Wall Ahead of Crucial TWC Review**

CONROE, TX – The Conroe Professional Firefighters Association, Local 4920, is locked in a significant dispute with the City of Conroe over the scope of a proposed collective bargaining unit, a disagreement that escalated last month when the City Council unanimously rejected a Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) hearing officer’s recommendation. The TWC is now poised to review the entire case on July 15, 2024, with the final decision set to profoundly impact the future of labor relations within the Conroe Fire Department.

The journey towards collective bargaining began on January 17, 2024, when the Conroe Professional Firefighters Association filed a petition with the TWC. This move, permitted under the Texas Public Employee Relations Act, came after more than 50% of eligible fire department employees signed on in support of negotiating collectively over wages, hours, and working conditions. Public employee collective bargaining in Texas, particularly for firefighters and police, grants them the right to negotiate with their employers through elected representatives.

The core of the current disagreement centers on which positions should be included in the bargaining unit. Following an investigation and hearing held by a TWC hearing officer on April 10 and 11, 2024, a recommendation was issued on May 17, 2024. This recommendation largely supported the firefighters’ position, suggesting that roles such as lieutenant, captain, and battalion chief should be included. The fire department’s association argues that employees in these positions remain highly involved in hands-on duties and are fundamentally part of the rank and file, rather than purely supervisory or management.

However, the Conroe City Council has taken a different stance. During their meeting on June 12, 2024, council members voted unanimously to reject the TWC hearing officer’s recommendation. Mayor Pro Tem Harry Hardman publicly stated the city’s belief that positions like captain and battalion chief are unequivocally supervisory and management roles, and therefore should be excluded from the bargaining unit. This rejection was formally solidified when the City of Conroe filed its official objection with the TWC on June 20, 2024.

This distinction is critical for both sides. For the firefighters, including these mid-level leadership positions would significantly bolster the strength and scope of their bargaining unit, potentially leading to a more comprehensive collective bargaining agreement that covers a wider range of employees. For the city, defining these roles as management could preserve greater flexibility in operational decisions and employee management without direct negotiation.

The Texas Workforce Commission now faces the task of reviewing the entirety of the case, including the arguments presented by both the Conroe Professional Firefighters Association and the City of Conroe, along with the City’s formal objections. The TWC’s final determination on the composition of the bargaining unit will set the stage for any subsequent negotiations and will be a closely watched decision for public employee unions across Texas.

All eyes are now on July 15, 2024, when the TWC is scheduled to take up the matter again, potentially paving the way for a resolution or further steps in this ongoing labor dispute. Further details regarding the Texas Public Employee Relations Act and the TWC’s review process can be found on the Texas Workforce Commission’s official website.