Harris County Commissioners Court approved a historic, first-of-its-kind Consultation Policy designed to empower worker voices, strengthen employee engagement, and improve workplace policies across County departments reporting to Commissioners Court.
Harris County employs nearly 20,000 workers, with thousands eligible to participate in the consultation process. For the first time in the County’s history, this policy provides a clear and structured way for employees to raise concerns and help shape workplace policies. Too often, workers lack a consistent pathway to be heard, especially as many families face rising costs and growing inequality. This policy ensures employees have a voice, strengthens trust between workers and leadership, and helps deliver better results for the residents we serve.
“As a former Chief Talent Officer, I know strong, effective organizations put their people first. This is the first time Harris County has adopted a Consultation Policy; it is a win for our employees and for our community. By empowering workers’ voices and creating a pathway for employee-centered input, we build trust, strengthen our organization, and deliver better results for the Harris County families we serve,” said Commissioner Lesley Briones.
“Everyone deserves dignity at work and the chance to build a decent life through their labor,” said Commissioner Rodney Ellis. “Today’s vote honors the workers who keep Harris County running and takes another step toward a more affordable, fairer, and more just future for working people.”
The Consultation Policy establishes a collaborative and proactive process for dialogue between employees and management. A Consultation Agent, selected by eligible employees, will provide representation in certain grievance and disciplinary matters, while a Consultation Team composed of equal employee and management representatives will meet regularly to discuss workplace policies and provide recommendations to Commissioners Court. The policy does not create collective bargaining and preserves the Court’s final authority, consistent with Texas law.
“County employees know their jobs best. When challenges inevitably arise, it’s the workers who are best suited to work collaboratively with their supervisors to find solutions and improve efficiency together. Ultimately, that means better services and a more responsive Harris County government for all residents, workers, and businesses. Giving workers collaborative channels to problem-solve will help the county recruit and retain the dedicated public servants this community deserves,” said Hany Khalil, Executive Director of the Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO.
"We have the power to make the voices of 5000+ public servants heard. Like the city workers in San Antonio and Austin, now county workers will have the platform to address working conditions and other issues workers care about. This is simply a unity table between labor and management, and it is good business too. It improves our public services and the working conditions of both frontline workers and management. It’s what Harris County residents and public servants deserve,” said Guillermo Vazquez, Deputy Director of Harris County Workers’ Union.
“Every day, my crew of six maintains 200 miles of infrastructure. We are the boots on the ground who see the gaps before they become issues. As a Foreman II, I encourage training and open communication of my crew members. They find the machines they are most comfortable with and learn quickly the best strategies for working with them. Guiding and listening to my team brings me the best results. I’ve spent 27 years keeping this county moving forward. As a frontline worker, I believe all of us that serve Harris County deserve a county that gets the job done right,” said Leonard Washington, Harris County Road & Bridge Foreman.
Key provisions include:
- A formal Consultation Agent to represent employee interests
- A Consultation Team with equal representation from employees and management
- Regular meetings to review workplace policies and employee concerns
- Support for employees in grievance and disciplinary processes
- Structured process for employee-centered recommendations to Commissioners Court
When the policy goes into effect in October 2026, eligible employees may select a Consultation Agent through a defined process, with regular consultation meetings to begin thereafter.
This initiative builds on Harris County’s broader commitment to supporting workers and expanding opportunity. Harris County is leading by example, from establishing a living wage of $20 for County employees and $21.65 for contractors to advancing protections for worker safety. Additionally, Commissioners Court is working on a Countywide Pay Equity Initiative to bring wages up to market levels and collaborating with the Harris County Essential Workers Board to continue elevating frontline worker concerns and recommendations.
Together, these efforts reflect a comprehensive and worker-first approach to strengthening opportunity, supporting working families, and building a stronger Harris County.