City, Austin Police Association reach tentative labor agreement

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The City of Austin and the Austin Police Association (APA) have reached a tentative labor agreement, according to sources involved in the negotiations.

There are still a number of steps ahead — including the city finalizing contract language to be posted publicly Thursday, according to city staff. The police association membership will also need to take a look at the tentative contract.

"We're hopeful that once we get this submitted to your members, hopefully ratified before the city council, passed by them, it will give you an excellent era for the Austin Police Department," the lead negotiator for the city said during Monday's meeting.

Austin City Council is expected to vote on that agreement during its Oct. 10 meeting, according the city of Austin. They have the final say.

According to sources, the proposed contract will include pay increases for police officers to the tune of 28% more over five years and address a major sticking point in negotiations so far — the treatment of the "g-file." You can read more about that back and forth here.

The city of Austin said: "the agreement represents a 28% increase for Austin Police officers over five years with a total value of $217.8 million. Base pay will increase by 8% in Year One, 6% in Year Two, 5% in Years Three and Four, and 4% in the last year of the agreement. Other pay aspects to assist with operational efficiencies will be increased Field Training Officer pay, a stipend for officers working the night shift, and stipends for patrol officers."

The City and APA re-entered discussions for a long-term contract in March.

Reactions from local leaders

Police Chief Lisa Davis

“This Tentative Agreement includes meaningful investments in officer pay and benefits that will be invaluable as we seek to recruit and retain the best law enforcement officers in the country. I am proud to be serving in a City that values and prioritizes public safety, and not only believes in but is also committed to transparency and community engagement.”

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson

“A tentative agreement between the City of Austin and the Austin Police Association (APA) is a positive new chapter in the future of public safety in our city. 

This agreement ensures strong community oversight. It also assures officers the long-term protections and assurances needed to address our staffing challenges and help them afford to live in the city they serve.

For too long, Austin was stuck in a contentious stalemate over police and policing. I greatly appreciate that APA President Michael Bullock came into office this year willing to talk. And I’m thankful for the work of the city manager’s office in keeping a focus on turning a corner on the relationship. 

I’m also proud of the work my Council colleagues and I have done to both respect our voters and support our officers. 

We’re in fact turning the corner on public safety and policing in Austin. For the first time in five years, Austin is on track to end this year with more officers than when the year started. In addition, we’ve brought in new leadership with Police Chief Lisa Davis and incoming Assistant City Manager Eddie Garcia, the retiring Dallas police chief who will oversee all of Austin’s public safety departments. And a five year agreement with the police union will be a great big step and one we’ve worked hard to achieve.”

Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax

“I commend both negotiating teams for working toward a solution that will increase transparency, fully support our officers, provide stability for our police department and improve response times and service levels overall for our community."

Austin Justice Coalition

"There's still too much secret about this proposal, but from what we've learned it undermines voter-approved police transparency and cots so much that vital city services will face steep cuts in the coming years."

Austin City Council Member Ryan Alter

"I'm excited because that's what we asked our negotiators to do, was to go find a deal that was going to reward our police officers, get more police on the street and help keep us safer as a community and that's what it seems like they've done."

Austin City Council Member Mackenzie Kelly

"As a public safety advocate, I am incredibly pleased to hear that the City and the Austin Police Association have reached a tentative agreement. I believe that securing a contract with the Austin Police Department is incredibly important. This step will help us attract the best candidates, ensuring that our community feels safe and protected at all times. It is essential for our residents to feel secure and safe and that our officers have a sense of stability in their positions. The recent tentative agreement between the Austin Police Association and the city gives me hope for a brighter future."

Council Member Zohaib Qadri

"I look forward to a full briefing on the tentative agreement between Austin and APA for a new contract. My hope is a final contract will both solve the staffing crisis faced by APD while also enshrining the values supported by voters like transparency, accountability, and reform."

How we got here

Austin City Council struck down a four-year contract agreement "in principle" in 2023, instead pursuing a one-year extension agreement with the Austin Police Association. Council members Alison Alter and Mackenzie Kelly voted against the measure, instead favoring the four-year deal.

The association wouldn't come to the table on a one-year deal and the council instead voted to extend Austin police salaries when their contract expired.

Going back even further, prior to Austin City Council voting to approve a police contract in 2018, that city council voted down previous versions of that agreement as well.

The issue then was that social activists and the union couldn’t agree on oversight and transparency guidelines. Council ultimately sent the agreement back to the negotiating table in December 2017. The contract wasn’t made final until the end of 2018.