4 Austin City Council Members Issue Joint Statement On Police Contract Negotiations

Four Austin City Council Members came together to issue a statement regarding the Austin Police Association’s contract negotiations with the City of Austin.

AUSTIN, TEXAS –  Austin City Council Members Alison Alter, Jimmy Flannigan, Ora Houston, and Ann Kitchen put out the following statement after the Austin Police Association voted to end contract negotiations with the City of Austin:

“We were disappointed to learn of the Austin Police Association’s decision to not extend the contract and discontinue contract negotiations until next Spring. Following the Council’s vote on December 13th, the APA had the option of utilizing up to three months of extensions on the existing contract as a new contract was discussed. Unfortunately, the Austin Police Association voted to end negotiations with the City and as a result, the labor agreement will now expire on Dec. 29, 2017.

“Interim City Manager Elaine Hart released a memo last week outlining ‘the most significant effects on personnel practices at the Austin Police Department (APD) that will occur as a result of the decision by the Austin Police Association not to resume labor contract negotiations with the City.’ The effects will span things such as hiring, promotion, pay, and discipline practice within APD. While this was not the outcome that Council proposed, we accept the Austin Police Association’s decision and look forward to a productive return to the negotiation table in 2018.”