Austin City Council Approves New Labor Agreement with Police Association
AUSTIN, Texas — In a lengthy city council meeting that spanned more than nine hours and drew over 160 speakers, the Austin City Council and Mayor Kirk Watson officially approved a new labor agreement with the Austin Police Association (APA) on Thursday. The council’s vote came in at 10-1, with only council member Zo Qadri opposing the measure.
Details of the New Contract
The newly approved five-year contract, valued at nearly $218 million, comes after a tentative agreement was made between the city and the police union in September. These discussions have followed months of detailed negotiations that resumed in March. Central to the negotiations were disagreements concerning access to the G-file, the documents that contain personnel information and allegations of misconduct against officers.
In conjunction with the contract approval, the council passed an ordinance directing over $16 million from the city’s general fund to the Austin Police Department’s operating budget. This funding is intended to meet the needs outlined in the new contract, with the allocated money primarily aimed at covering wages and benefits for officers. This measure also passed with a 10-1 vote, with Qadri again being the sole vote against.
Legislation and Voter Actions
Earlier this year, voters approved the Police Oversight Act, which mandates the public release of certain police records, including the G-files. However, police union leaders expressed concerns that these files contain unverified complaints that could affect officers’ reputations. In August, a judge ruled to eliminate the G-file, but there are still ongoing cases related to this matter.
Michael Bullock, the president of the APA, stated that future rulings regarding the G-file would not interfere with the progress of the current contract, emphasizing the importance of moving forward with the new agreements.
Next Steps
Moving forward, the contract must be ratified by the Austin Police Association, but the union has not indicated when it will hold this ratification vote. Once ratified, the new terms will go into effect, bringing significant changes to compensation and operational procedures within the police department.
Compensation Highlights
The new contract includes an impressive 28% pay increase for police officers spread across its five-year duration, representing the largest salary hike for Austin police officers in decades. The pay structure will see an 8% increase in the first year, followed by 6% in the second year, 5% in the third and fourth years, and 4% in the final year.
In addition to the pay raises, the city also plans to introduce an increase in pay for field training officers, a stipend for officers working night shifts, and additional stipends for patrol officers. Officers will also receive a one-time $2,000 bonus at the start of the contract.
Accountability Measures
Furthermore, the new labor agreement stipulates that the Austin Police Department (APD) will establish a process for the Office of Police Oversight to handle anonymous complaints efficiently. It also includes an extension of the disciplinary timeline to ensure thoroughness in addressing issues.
This agreement marks a pivotal moment in addressing policing issues while also prioritizing the welfare and compensation of officers in Austin. The focus now turns to the final ratification by the APA and implementation of the agreement’s terms.
