 Recent News
HOPE Committee on the Future Elected
In elections conducted May 21-23, HOPE members selected their first-ever Committee on the Future (COF). The COF's mission is to prepare and reccomend HOPE's program for the future, including a new, permanent Constitution and Bylaws. There were contested elections in three departments - Public Works and Engineering, Houston Police Department, and Houston Airport System. For more information about the nomination and election process click here, or click here for complete election results. |
City Council Votes to Ratify HOPE Contract The Houston City Council voted 13-2 on March 26, 2008 to approve the new HOPE contract. Houston city employees now have the first-ever contract between a Texas city and its civilian employees. This historic contract will benefit every citizen of the City of Houston by ensuring quality public services and lifting more than 1,000 city workers above the federal poverty line for a family of four. |
HOPE Members Overwhelmingly Approve Contract In balloting conducted over two weeks at more than 70 worksites, Houston city employees voted overwhelmingly to ratify the contract between HOPE and the City of Houston. HOPE members voted 3,237 to 7 in favor of the three-year agreement. The ballot count was conducted Thursday, March 20, at the Kelley Solid Waste facility and was overseen by prominent community leaders, including Rev. James Nash from Sunnyside Presbyterian Church and Laura Boston of the Houston Interfaith Workers’ Center. Read the Houston Chronicle’s story about the vote count here. The agreement now goes before the Houston City Council for final approval. If approved by the council, it will be the first-ever union contract between a Texas city and its civilian municipal workers. |
WE DID IT! HOPE Reaches Tentative Agreement with City of Houston on Historic First Contract
After months of rallies, marches and meetings, HOPE has reached a tentative agreement with the City of Houston on a historic first contract. Highlights of the contract include: - The largest guaranteed raise ever for Houston city employees
- More control over our health care costs
- Immediate raise of 45% for the lowest paid city workers and a minimum wage of $10/hr by Sept. 2009.
HOPE members will be voting to ratify the agreement from Thursday, March 6 to Thursday, March 20 at informational meetings at nearly 70 worksites. Click here to see the full list of voting sites and times. Click here to see the Houston Chronicle story about our history making contract. |
City Employees Begin Meet and Confer Process
Hundreds wait in line to be a part of first bargaining session. |
For the first time in Texas history, civilian public service employees sat down with city officials to discuss ways to improve their jobs and the services they provide. On April 10th, over 200 hundred city employees came out to show their commitment to winning and support for the HOPE Negotiating Team.
| | Spotlight On | HOPE CONTRACT
Click here to view the text of the HOPE contract. Upcoming Events General Membership Meetings June 18, 6 p.m. July 24, 6 p.m. August 27, 6 p.m. October 1, 6 p.m. November 5, 6 p.m. Union Trainings These trainings are open to all members interested in learning more about being a union leader in their workplace. July 12, 1 - 3:30 p.m. - HOPE Contract Training August 16, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. September 13, 10 a.m. October 25, 10 a.m. November 22, 10 a.m. Committee on the Future July 12, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. August 9, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. August 30, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. HOPE Executive Board June 17, 6 p.m. July 14, 6 p.m. Member Committees All members are welcome to attend and participate in these committees. June 16, 6-7 p.m. - Member Benefits Committee June 19, 6-7 p.m. - HOPE for Houston Committee June 23, 6-7 p.m. - Retired Members Committee June 26, 6-7 p.m. - COPE/PEOPLE Committee June 26, 6-7 p.m. - Union Training Committee Unless otherwise specified, events are at the HOPE Office, 4299 San Felipe, Suite 200. AFSCME Delegate Election
For the first time ever, HOPE members will delegate to the AFSCME convention in San Francisco, California. The nominations and election were held during the HOPE General Membership Meeting, June 18, at 6 p.m. at the HOPE Office. For more information on the election and for complete results click here. SEIU Delegate Election For the first time ever, HOPE members will delegate to the SEIU convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The election was held April 14, 2008. To view results and learn more click here. 
HOPE is Working to Improve Standards
Learn more about the improvements that HOPE members are working for:
» Good Jobs & Higher Wages
» Better Health Care
» Ensuring Reliable Public Services
» Secure Retirements
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