The Austin firefighters union has agreed to an 11th-hour deal on a new labor contract with the city. The agreement late Friday ends a weekslong stalemate after the Austin Firefighters Association rejected of a proposal that it said wouldn’t substantially increase wages for its personnel. The AFA agreed to a deal that would raise wages by at […]
Austin Firefighters Association
The Austin firefighters union.
Posted inCity Hall
Firefighters, city at loggerheads over contract
Negotiators for the Austin Firefighters Association (AFA) and city management appear to have reached an impasse. AFA President Bob Nicks called the city’s current offer “disrespectful to those who risk their lives daily.” Nicks noted that he told the city manager and City Council in January that firefighters want a work week reduction and the […]
Posted inFire
To slash costs, Austin will decide whether to cut firefighter staffing below national standards
The city of Austin is looking to cut overtime for Austin firefighters as a way to save money in the new budget. The change would mean adjusting staffing levels on many fire trucks, which some officials said puts people and fire crews at risk. When a fire team responds to a fire there are a […]
Posted inFire
Firefighters to seek firing of Chief Baker
Austin Firefighters Association President Bob Nicks will hold a press conference today to discuss the removal of Fire Chief Joel Baker from his position. Nicks told the Austin Monitor that Baker issued a standing order on June 6 that prevented Austin firefighters from deploying to assist those working to rescue people during the catastrophic 4th […]
Posted inFire
Firefighters, city reach agreement on retirement fund
Negotiators for the city and Austin firefighters have finally reached agreement on how to deal with the Austin Firefighter Retirement Fund so that it complies with state law and can promise retirement benefits to current and future retirees. This has been a vexing problem for the city and its firefighters for some time. Mayor Kirk […]
Posted inFire
Two bills compete to reform firefighters retirement fund
Two competing bills in the Texas Legislature aim to tackle the issue of reforming the funding structure of the Austin Firefighters Retirement Fund. In a message on the City Council Message Board (posted by the mayor’s chief of staff, Colleen Pate), Mayor Kirk Watson said: “AFRF has been on the Texas Pension Review Board watchlist […]
Posted inCity Council
Council solidifies transparency in labor talks over APA’s opposition
City Council on Thursday approved a resolution reaffirming the city’s transparency policy in labor negotiations, despite objections from the Austin Police Association president. The one-page resolution, introduced by Ryan Alter, reiterates the city’s policy that meet-and-confer and collective bargaining discussions with public safety unions are publicly recorded and broadcast. It also ensures that documents exchanged […]
Posted inPublic Safety
Firefighters call for more cadets to address safety, mental health needs
The Austin Firefighters Association is seeking more attention to the safety issues facing its membership, which were discussed in part last week during City Council budget sessions. The AFA had planned to hold a press conference Monday to publicize issues such as increasing injury rates and mental health concerns highlighted by a recent death by […]
Posted inBudget
Staff lays out public safety budget choices for City Council
Looking ahead to a tough budget year, City Council will have to choose between spending on firefighters, emergency medical services, parks maintenance, homeless outreach and improving animal services, among others. Wednesday’s budget presentation did nothing to alleviate budget concerns, with some explanations only highlighting the city’s need to spend money to continue basic services and […]
Posted inFire
Austin firefighters have new contract in place
After years of heated negotiations, and about a year without a contract in place, Austin firefighters finally have an agreement with the city in place. The contract, which is effective immediately, comes from an three-member arbitration panel. Unlike a normal contract process, it does not require further approval from the Austin Firefighters Association (AFA) or […]
Posted inFire
Austin firefighters contract to be decided by binding arbitration
Austin Firefighters Association President Bob Nicks has made no secret of how angry he is with city negotiators. The union and those negotiators could not reach an agreement on a labor contract, and the matter must now be decided at an arbitration proceeding, as noted in a memo from interim Assistant City Manager Bruce Mills […]
Posted inFire
Firefighters say city lawyers unreasonably stopped arbitration
The city of Austin’s Law Department has stopped participating in an arbitration hearing with the Austin Firefighters Association, and City Council will have the chance on Thursday to approve that decision or direct its lawyers to continue the process. Council has an executive session scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Thursday. Bob Nicks, president of the Austin […]