Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Labor Relations Firefighters topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Killeen council recognizes IAFF Local 2505 as exclusive bargaining agent for firefighters
Summary
The council voted 7-0 to recognize the Killeen Professional Fire Fighters Association, IAFF Local 2505, as the sole bargaining agent and authorized the city to begin meet-and-confer negotiations under Chapter 142 of the Texas Local Government Code.
The Killeen City Council voted 7-0 to recognize the Killeen Professional Fire Fighters Association, IAFF Local 2505, as the sole and exclusive bargaining agent for the city’s firefighters and authorized the city to begin meet-and-confer negotiations. The vote approved resolution RS25-122, following staff recommendation.
City Attorney Clemens summarized the state law that frames the action: “Chapter 142 of the Texas Local Government Code allows [a] firefighters association to file a petition with the governing body requesting that the association be recognized as the sole and exclusive bargaining agent for all firefighters in the city.” She told the council the petition must be signed by a majority of firefighters and that negotiations may cover wages, hours and other terms of employment. Clemens said the city received a petition on July 3 from IAFF Local 2505 and that city staff verified signatures.
According to staff, the department has 265 employed firefighters (not including the chief and assistant chiefs appointed by the chief), the majority threshold for the petition was 133, 155 signatures were submitted and 145 signatures were verified — making the petition valid. Staff recommended recognition of IAFF Local 2505 and opposed holding a voter election or a separate firefighter certification election before recognition.
During public comment, Melissa Brown spoke in favor of meet-and-confer for firefighters, saying the members of that profession “know the needs of the individuals within that profession.” Captain Jensen of the firefighters association was present but did not offer a formal statement to the council during the item. The council did not amend the staff recommendation.
The council approved the resolution by voice vote; the mayor announced “Motion carries 7 to 0.” The approval authorizes city staff to meet and confer with IAFF Local 2505; any written agreement reached under the Chapter 142 process must be approved by the council and by a majority of the firefighters, as Clemens noted.
No further actions or specific contract terms were adopted at the meeting; the recognition simply authorizes the city to begin the statutorily permitted meet-and-confer process.
