Conroe will place a firefighter collective-bargaining measure on the May ballot after a judge ordered the city to accept a petition submitted by the local firefighters’ association, ending a weeks-long dispute over whether the group collected enough valid signatures.
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The city of Conroe has decided to include a firefighter collective-bargaining measure on the May ballot following a judge's order requiring officials to accept a petition from the local firefighters’ union, allowing voters to determine whether the city will enter into binding labor contracts with its fire department.
On December 12, the Conroe Professional Firefighters Association presented a petition containing 3,650 signatures, requesting a public vote on collective bargaining. According to Texas law, these petitions require signatures from at least 5% of the voters who participated in the latest general election.
City officials initially dismissed the petition, contending that they were unable to ascertain the number of Conroe voters who participated in the November 2024 election. During a special meeting on December 19, City Secretary Sami Quinlan stated that without a city-run election on that date, Montgomery County election officials would be unable to provide a local turnout figure. This figure is necessary for the petition to meet the state law requirement of 20,000 signatures.
The firefighters’ association contested that assertion and filed a lawsuit against the city on Dec. 22, contending that voter data from the Texas Secretary of State indicated that 40,425 residents of Conroe participated in the November 2024 election, establishing the necessary signature threshold at 2,022.
“We appreciate the court's prompt action on this matter,” stated association President Lloyd Sandefer. “It’s disheartening that the mayor and city council are allocating hundreds of thousands of dollars to legal battles against us and the thousands of voters who supported the petition.”
The association stated in a filing that the city's position lacked basis. “The data indicates that 40,425 voters from Conroe participated in the election held on November 5, 2024,” the lawsuit asserts. “Therefore, the necessary number of signatures to advance the petition is 2,022.”
Following a judge's order for the city to accept the petition, Conroe officials took steps to include the measure on the May ballot while asserting that they are operating within legal boundaries. City officials chose not to provide additional comments, as the case is still ongoing.
Collective bargaining enables a labor union to negotiate wages, benefits, and working conditions for employees. Any agreement reached is considered a legally binding contract between the employer and the union, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Firefighter unions throughout Texas have been progressively advocating for collective bargaining rights, contending that formal contracts enhance staffing, safety, and retention. Critics frequently argue that the agreements may restrict management's flexibility and increase long-term expenses.
A hearing on the Conroe case is set for 9:30 a.m. on January 26 in County Court at Law No. 5, where the judge will examine outstanding matters related to the petition and the election process.
If voters approve in May, Conroe firefighters will be granted the authority to negotiate a binding labor contract with the city for the first time.
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