It’s been nearly two months since the city of San Antonio and the San Antonio Police Officers Association last met to discuss a new collective bargaining agreement. That stalemate is expected to drag on even longer, city officials said.
The two sides last met on March 31 — 11 days after the city submitted a proposal for a new contract. City officials said union representatives refused to provide a counter proposal. Additionally, the union has refused to schedule any future bargaining dates until after the mayoral runoff election, Deputy City Manager Erik Walsh said.
Walsh said on May 13, Mayor Ivy Taylor asked city staff to reach out to the San Antonio Police Officers Association once again and offer dates for more discussions, including May 28-29 and June 2-5.
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“SAPOA, through their chief negotiator, reiterated their unwillingness to schedule any meetings until after the runoff election,” Walsh said.
The outcome of that June 13 runoff involving the current mayor and former State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, could impact some key issues.
“They refuse to negotiate,” City Manager Sheryl Sculley said about the police union. “And with a virtually perpetual evergreen clause, they have no incentive.”