Item from Council 2/23/23
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2023 5:27 pm
Colleagues –
Two days ago, the Council made two of the most consequential votes that any of us might take while serving on this body. We made a change to our City Manager, and we gave clear instructions to the citizens, the Interim City Manager, and to the police association about the direction that should be taken to negotiate a police labor contract.
I’m disappointed but not surprised to learn today that the Austin Police Association has chosen not to return to the negotiating table. I hope they remain open to reaching an agreement, and the only way to do so is to come back to the table.
Until negotiations resume, we want our police officers and their families to know that they are supported by this City. To demonstrate this promise and to provide them certainty and stability as to their labor rights, wages, and benefits, I am supporting an ordinance that will assure APD officers’ wages, benefits and payout of sick leave hours upon separation are continued as covered under the current contract, even if the City and the police union do not reach an agreement before the current contract expires on March 31.
Since taking office in January, I have been considering and speaking about this type of ordinance as a stopgap measure to get us through the next year. I am very grateful to Council Member Ryan Alter for picking up this effort in the past several days as I became busy with last week’s other matters. He has prepared a well-researched and crafted ordinance that I am happy to join in supporting.
This ordinance will also establish the authority of the Office of the Police Oversight as an investigator as permitted by state law. This option will allow for investigations of anonymous complaints by citizens and police officers.
I believe this ordinance can accomplish our goals, protect, and provide security for our police officers, and allow for a robust and effective civilian oversight. But let me be clear – this is not a better outcome than a one-year agreement with the police association. It would be better for everyone if they would return to the negotiating table now, but if they do not then we must pass this ordinance to maintain effective recruiting and retention of APD officers.
Finally, please know that I will also be offering an amendment to this ordinance early next week that will offer additional pay and benefits to officers that I hope will give us more options to retain and recruit more officers.
I look forward to next week’s discussion and I am very grateful to CM Ryan Alter for his work and leadership on this issue.
Kirk
On behalf of Mayor Watson
Two days ago, the Council made two of the most consequential votes that any of us might take while serving on this body. We made a change to our City Manager, and we gave clear instructions to the citizens, the Interim City Manager, and to the police association about the direction that should be taken to negotiate a police labor contract.
I’m disappointed but not surprised to learn today that the Austin Police Association has chosen not to return to the negotiating table. I hope they remain open to reaching an agreement, and the only way to do so is to come back to the table.
Until negotiations resume, we want our police officers and their families to know that they are supported by this City. To demonstrate this promise and to provide them certainty and stability as to their labor rights, wages, and benefits, I am supporting an ordinance that will assure APD officers’ wages, benefits and payout of sick leave hours upon separation are continued as covered under the current contract, even if the City and the police union do not reach an agreement before the current contract expires on March 31.
Since taking office in January, I have been considering and speaking about this type of ordinance as a stopgap measure to get us through the next year. I am very grateful to Council Member Ryan Alter for picking up this effort in the past several days as I became busy with last week’s other matters. He has prepared a well-researched and crafted ordinance that I am happy to join in supporting.
This ordinance will also establish the authority of the Office of the Police Oversight as an investigator as permitted by state law. This option will allow for investigations of anonymous complaints by citizens and police officers.
I believe this ordinance can accomplish our goals, protect, and provide security for our police officers, and allow for a robust and effective civilian oversight. But let me be clear – this is not a better outcome than a one-year agreement with the police association. It would be better for everyone if they would return to the negotiating table now, but if they do not then we must pass this ordinance to maintain effective recruiting and retention of APD officers.
Finally, please know that I will also be offering an amendment to this ordinance early next week that will offer additional pay and benefits to officers that I hope will give us more options to retain and recruit more officers.
I look forward to next week’s discussion and I am very grateful to CM Ryan Alter for his work and leadership on this issue.
Kirk
On behalf of Mayor Watson