07/26/2026
Statement from the Abilene Professional Firefighters Association
The Abilene Professional Firefighters Association remains committed to passing both referendums on the upcoming ballot, and we're asking Abilene voters to support them because they create a fair, balanced process for resolving contract negotiations between the city and its firefighters.
Collective bargaining is a standard, legal process used by firefighter associations across Texas — it is not a tactic, but rather, a commonly used process allowing public safety employees and city governments to reach fair agreements.
Binding arbitration matters because of what has already happened in Abilene. Our association reached an agreement with the city manager, through a different process called “meet and confer” that was upheld for six years — and then it was voted down by council, leaving our members with no path forward.
Binding arbitration only comes into play if negotiations reach an impasse after both sides have already bargained in good faith. It favors neither side — an impartial arbitrator can rule for the city just as easily as for the association. What it guarantees is that once both sides have negotiated in good faith, neither can indefinitely block a resolution.
We know members of council have concerns about this process, and we respect that this is a serious decision for voters to weigh. We simply believe that after what our members experienced, a fair and impartial process for resolving an impasse is the right path forward — and we're grateful for the support we've already received from the community and from council members who agree.
We're asking every Abilene voter to vote yes on both referendums. A fair process protects both the city and the firefighters who serve it — and it starts with your vote.
*paid pol ad by the Abilene Professional Fire Fighters Association S**C
