Houston Fire Department Grievance Procedures (Classified Members)

Vocabulary terms and procedural deadlines based on the Houston Fire Department's grievance guidelines for classified members.

Arbitration

The hearing and determination of a case in a controversy by a person chosen by the parties or appointed by statutory authority.

Association

The Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association, Local 341, International Association of Fire Fighters.

Department Grievance Counselor

A firefighter appointed by the Department Head to administer the grievance procedure.

Department Head

The Fire Chief of the Houston Fire Department.

Director

The Director of firefighter’s Civil Service.

Firefighter (as used in Texas Local Government Code)

Applies to all classified members of the Houston Fire Department.

Grievance

A cause of distress (as an unsatisfactory working condition) felt to afford reason for complaint or resistance.

Grievant

One who submits a grievance for arbitration.

Contract Grievances

Any dispute, claim, or complaint involving the interpretation, application, or alleged violation of any provisions of an agreement between the City and Association.

Step I Filing Deadline

A complete written form must be filed within $30$ days after the date the action or inaction for which the person feels aggrieved occurred.

Step I Meeting Timeline

A meeting between the firefighter and their supervisor must be scheduled by the Department Grievance Counselor within $30$ calendar days after the date the grievance is filed.

Step I Supervisor Response Deadline

The supervisor must provide a written response including an evaluation and proposed solution within $15$ calendar days after the date the meeting occurs.

Step II Filing Deadline

A firefighter must complete and file the form within $15$ calendar days after receiving the supervisor's Step I response.

Step II Meeting Rank Requirement

The Department Head's representative at the meeting must have a rank of at least Assistant Chief or the equivalent.

Step II Meeting Timeline

The meeting between the firefighter, supervisor, and Department Head (or representative) must be held within $15$ calendar days after the Step II form is filed.

Step III Filing Deadline

Must be filed with the Director within $15$ calendar days after receiving the Department Head's Step II response.

Step III Hearing Timeline

The hearing with a grievance examiner must be held within $15$ of the aggrieved firefighter's working days after the Step III form is filed.

Step III Grievance Examiner Recommendation deadline

Written findings and a recommendation for solution must be provided within $15$ calendar days after the date the hearing ends.

Step IV Filing Deadline

A firefighter or Department Head rejecting a Step III solution must file within $15$ calendar days after receiving the examiner's recommendation.

Commission Decision Deadline (Step IV)

The Commission must render a decision no later than $30$ days after the date the Step III transcript is filed; otherwise, the grievance is sustained.

48-hour notice

The required notice period for any meeting or hearing; if not provided, the grievance is automatically sustained.

Special Provision for Steps I and II

If the immediate supervisor is the Department Head, the Department Head must meet with the firefighter personally, and Steps I and II processes are combined.

Official Final Custodian of Records

The Director is the official final custodian of all records involving grievances.