Bill > HB3171

This bill modifies the Local Government Code to establish new provisions for resolving impasses in collective bargaining for municipal fire fighters, particularly in cities with populations between 950,000 and 1,050,000. The bill introduces two key mechanisms for impasse resolution: first, for municipalities with existing charter provisions or collective bargaining agreements, parties must follow their specific impasse resolution methods, which can override standard arbitration procedures; second, for the specified population range of municipalities, a new binding interest arbitration process is established. Under this new process, if collective bargaining reaches an impasse, either party can request arbitration by a three-person board, which will consider factors like comparable employment conditions, cost of living adjustments, job-specific qualifications, employee morale, and municipal revenue impacts when making award decisions. The bill also clarifies that existing impasse resolution provisions remain valid and that the law cannot be used to challenge previous collective bargaining agreements or arbitration awards. The legislation aims to provide more structured and flexible methods for resolving labor disputes between municipal fire fighters and their employers, with specific considerations tailored to local contexts and economic conditions.

Government Affairs

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB3171