City to resume police contract negotiations

After a long break, the city and the Austin Police Association (APA) are poised to resume formal negotiations on a new contract on March 12. According to a post about the negotiations, details are being finalized and information about the time and location is still to come. “I have been saying for some time now that it was critical for the City to get back to the bargaining table with the Austin Police Association,” Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said in a statement to the press. “I’m pleased we’ve agreed to a date to begin those negotiations. Our police officers need to know that they’re supported, we need to fill vacancies, and the best way to show support and fill positions is by getting a long-term contract.” Last February, Council rejected a four-year contract that was championed by the since-fired City Manager Spencer Cronk and negotiations stalled. Since then, the police have operated under a stopgap plan that was recently extended with incentives to resume negotiations.