safety
City of El Paso, firefighters union remain divided on pay, benefit negotiations
By Elida S. Perez at El Paso Matters
· June 17, 2026
· 1 min read
The city of El Paso and the firefighters’ union made progress on portions of a new labor contract Monday but remained divided on costly pay and benefits proposals as negotiations continue ahead of an Aug. 31 deadline.
City leaders accepted, rejected or counteroffered multiple proposals during ...
Key takeaway City leaders accepted, rejected or counteroffered multiple proposals during ...
Why this matters in The El Paso
The ongoing negotiations between the city of El Paso and the firefighters' union have significant implications for the community, particularly when it comes to taxpayer burden and public safety. With the city's offer of $38 million in pay and benefit increases falling short of the union's $66 million request, the difference of tens of millions of dollars will likely impact the average El Paso homeowner's tax bill. As the city's preliminary Fire Department budget for the next fiscal year stands at $168 million, any agreement reached will need to be supported by the next year's budget, potentially affecting the allocation of funds for other essential services. The city's commitment to negotiating in good faith is crucial, as a mutually beneficial agreement will not only affect the firefighters but also the residents of El Paso, who rely on the fire department for emergency response and protection.
About this story
Original reporting by El Paso Matters . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit El Paso Matters . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 17, 2026 ·
Source: El Paso Matters ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The city of El Paso and the firefighters’ union made progress on portions of a new labor contract Monday but remained divided on costly pay and benefits proposals as negotiations continue ahead of an Aug. 31 deadline.
City leaders accepted, rejected or counteroffered multiple proposals during ...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 17, 2026 by El Paso Matters and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Elida S. Perez at El Paso Matters. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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