I've heard a lot a about how government jobs provide security as opposed to high salaries However Houston police and fire fighters are some of the highest paying middle class jobs I know of. The fire fighters in particular work two 24 hr shifts allowing them to work second jobs with the skills such as EMS they've learned on the job This really is a major budget issue that has been long overdue http://www.houstonchronicle.com/new...oves-Houston-pension-reform-bill-11131170.phpIP
Very much so. We just simply can't afford to provide such generous pensions and desperately need reform. We are giving away too much our future to the past as Houston roads and infrastructure aren't very good in a lot of places. They should increase wages and increase 401k matching for future employees instead of a pension.
Unsure what what you are saying about the fire department. They are actually one of the lowest paid fire departments in the country for the size of the city. And there are so many firefighters that have second jobs due to necessity. It would be almost impossible to be a raise a family on only a fire fighter's salary.
Ah, yes that is confusing. It's the pension plan, not the salary unless that poster was combining all the benefits and salary.
Sure, just responding to his statment about pay. The fire deparment made the sacrifice on lower pay to keep thier retirement in tact and not sell out the future generations in 02 or 03. But at last the city is saying the fire department is holding the city hostage but in reality they are being used as an excuse for the citys terrible managment of money borrowed from PD and Municipal.
I'm talking salary and pension. Houston firefighters make a lot of mon. Especially considering the eight hrs overtime every week However the e pension is what's under review
Nearly every major American city and many states, even conservative states, have troubling pension issues. Of course money management is the issue.... we've consistently underfunded public retirement at every level for decades. Houston's municipal pension system is in the worst shape of the 3 separate systems in Houston.
You're right it's not that much. My bad That overtime and ability to work other jobs does irritate still though Those numbers don't include the overtime I'm sure but it doesn't make that big an increase
I'm not a hater. I just got irritated watching these guys argue their pension should drive the city broke when they are well compensated Both firefighters and police used to be able to retire and still work but that has ended
I understand. But when firefighters retire they don't pay into SS so thier pension and deferred comp is the only thing they have. That is ok by itself from just that stand point but with cost of living increasing and insurance rates that sky rocket when they retire puts firefighters in a difficult position. The fire department isn't saying they don't understand and dont want to make cuts. But Turner has changed the initial deal and lead firefighters to mistrust him. Now you have a department that's budget is being cut by 20+ million for the next year, with low pay, and vehicles that are in poor shape. The problem is the city doesn't care and it isn't until someone gets killed for the city to do anything. That is a big reason the city has a problem with staffing.
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/new...s-frustrated-with-contract-talks-11274186.php The firefighters want to putting a raise to a vote
