APA contract update

After a pause during the recent bombings, negotiations between the city and the Austin Police Association are up and running again, reports City Manager Spencer Cronk in an April 4 memo. The takeaway? City staff presented the resolution City Council passed last month and offered a short-term proposal that would guarantee some stipends to Austin police and a lump-sum payment in return for oversight and hiring allowances that the city does not have now while the department operates under provisions of the Texas civil service statute, without a labor agreement. However, Cronk explains, “Regrettably, the APA rejected this short-term proposal and instead wanted to focus on the long-term agreement. The parties are scheduled to meet again April 10 and 16. I will continue to keep you updated as we move forward.”