The city’s tentative contract with the Austin Police Association, the union for city officers, is an 88-page document that covers things like raises, promotions, stipends for night patrol shifts, drug testing, disciplinary actions, and more. Here’s what you need to know about the agreement:
📅 If Approved, the Contract Will Be the First Since 2023.
The city and Austin Police Association have been without a contract for a year and a half. The tentative agreement is a five-year contract.
🗳️ A Vote on the Contract Was Delayed.
Austin City Council was originally set to vote on the contract Oct. 10 after it was approved in September. But the vote has been pushed to Oct. 24 to allow for more public input, and to give officials more time to review the agreement.
💰 The Contract Would Cost $218 Million Over Five Years and Includes Raises.
Austin officers would receive a 28% pay increase over five years, costing nearly $218 million. Lieutenants permanently on evening or night shifts would receive a monthly stipend of $300 or $350, respectively. There are also stipends in the contract for those who work on Thanksgiving or Christmas, among more.
📎 What Is Happening With the G File?
The new contract does not allow for G files, or personnel files containing records that had been kept secret, Austin Police Association President Michael Bullock told Austin City Council members earlier this week. Included in the G files were complaints against officers that did not result in disciplinary action.
Such files have been the subject of controversy in recent months. In May 2023, Austin voters approved Proposition A, which was intended to unseal G files for public access. In December, Equity Action sued the city, saying it failed to eliminate the G file. Finally, in August, a judge ruled that the city and APD were acting unlawfully by maintaining the G file.
Last month, though, many were wary that the contract allowed for G files after not seeing mention of them in the tentative agreement.
It now looks like everyone’s on the same page — City Manager T.C. Broadnax released a statement saying: “The City of Austin no longer maintains G-files.” He said the agreement includes no G files during the five-year contract.
