Fort Worth and Firefighters Reached Contract Agreement
The city and the firefighters union settled on a four-year labor deal after declaring an impasse in July.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Unions
Live Poll
Should your local government prioritize union-negotiated wage increases over long-term municipal budget goals?
The city of Fort Worth and the local firefighters union have reached a tentative labor agreement following negotiations that previously reached an impasse. The contract, which awaits a final City Council vote, covers the period from October 2026 through September 2030.
Why it matters
The deal addresses critical concerns regarding staffing levels, work volume, and compensation for the fire department following the integration of 650 former MedStar employees. Successful ratification will resolve labor tensions that had stalled local contract talks since July.
The agreement includes a 5% across-the-board pay increase for firefighters and EMS employees. Minimum daily staffing requirements will rise from 248 to 252 as part of the new terms.
The players
Fort Worth City Council
This governing body is responsible for voting on the final approval of the firefighter labor contract.
Fort Worth Fire Department
This municipal agency recently integrated 650 MedStar employees into its operations.
The details
The contract features annual step pay increases for fiscal year 2027 and scheduled market raises for 2028 through 2030. It also expands the Association Business Leave Pool to 2,357 hours and doubles the relief ratio to 40%.
Timeline
July 2026: The union declared an impasse in contract negotiations.
September 21-23, 2026: Union members are voting to ratify the agreement.
September 29, 2026: The City Council is scheduled to vote on the agreement.
October 1, 2026: The new contract term begins.
September 30, 2030: The contract term ends.
Political Context
Opponents or budget watchdogs may raise concerns regarding the $152 million total value of the union proposal in the face of a projected $94 million shortfall for fiscal year 2027. Skeptics often push back on such increases when they exceed placeholder budget targets like the 8.5% previously set for the department.
The new agreement will likely stabilize emergency services by setting clear staffing and pay structures for the next four years. Residents can expect the department to operate under these updated minimum daily requirements following the anticipated City Council approval.
The takeaway
This agreement provides long-term stability for the city's fire and EMS services through 2030. Employees should monitor the ratification results to understand how specific pay step increases will manifest in their upcoming compensation packages.
What happens next
The Fort Worth City Council is scheduled to hold a vote on the tentative contract agreement on September 29, 2026.
Further reading
For more context on local labor agreements, visit the Unions section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fort Worth Report.
Live Poll
Should your local government prioritize union-negotiated wage increases over long-term municipal budget goals?
