Consultation Policy

The Consultation Policy approved by Harris County Commissioners Court takes effect on October 1, 2026, and can be found here.

If designated pending the process under the Consultation Policy, the Consultation Agent would interface in a consultation process with County representatives about employee concerns and be available to provide representation in certain grievance and disciplinary matters as outlined in the policy.

If a Consultation Agent is designated, a Consultation Team, composed of selected employees serving as members of the Management Agent and employees serving as Consultation Representatives, will meet monthly to discuss issues and concerns. Through these meetings, the team may develop recommendations and submit proposals to Commissioners Court for consideration.

The policy does not establish collective bargaining, nor does it limit Commissioners Court’s authority to govern County operations or make employment decisions. The policy preserves all existing legal rights and responsibilities under Texas law while providing a consistent framework for consultation, collaboration, and problem-solving.

• A labor organization may become the Consultation Agent by submitting signed membership cards from at least 20% of eligible employees to the County Administrator for verification.
• The County Administrator will verify the membership cards within five (5) business days and will announce the presumed Consultation Agent if the threshold is met.
• If only one labor organization meets the 20% threshold, it will be designated as the Consultation Agent.
• If multiple labor organizations meet the 20% threshold, the County Administrator will conduct a one-day, secret-ballot election among eligible employees. The labor organization receiving the most votes in the election will be designated as the Consultation Agent.
• The Consultation Agent designation is presumed to renew every five years unless another labor organization demonstrates support from at least 50% of eligible employees, which triggers a new election.

A labor organization may become the Consultation Agent by submitting a digital file, in a common and readily accessible format, containing scanned or electronic versions of signed membership cards from at least 20% of eligible employees to the County Administrator. The County Administrator will then verify the number of cards and determine whether the required threshold has been met within five (5) business days of receiving them.

Beginning October 1, 2026, a labor organization must submit membership cards, as outlined above, by email to [email protected]. This email address should only be used for formal submissions.

General questions about the process may be emailed to [email protected] .