Some 70 percent of the San Antonio Police Officer’s Association voted in favor of the collective bargaining agreement that has finally been struck with the City of San Antonio.
For more than three years police have operated without a contract as they wrangled with the city over health care and wages. San Antonio Mayor Ivy Taylor called the vote a major step.
"This is a fair contract that provides the raises that our public safety officers deserve, allows the city to achieve many of our objectives related to controlling costs on health care and then allows us to then move forward and work collaboratively," Taylor says.
Union President Mike Helle says the membership was receptive to the contract.
"Our membership took a positive interest into the agreement, and I think that they took the time to educate themselves on the issues and we did that through our Town Hall meetings and our discussions with their families," Helle says.
Under the agreement officer’s will get a 17 percent pay raise over five years. under the expired contract officer family members received healthcare coverage without premiums. Now some officers will have to pay for dependents. If the council approves the agreement as expected it will take effect in September.
