SAN ANTONIO – The city of San Antonio is offering a three-year evergreen clause to the San Antonio Police Officers Association in an effort to bring the union back to the bargaining table.
During a news conference Wednesday afternoon at City Hall, Mayor Ivy Taylor said the offer is similar to a contract the city of Corpus Christi and its police union agreed on. The contract was negotiated by the same lead negotiator for SAPOA.
"We are making every effort to get the police union back to the bargaining table, including compromising on the evergreen clause and pushing back any further legal actions to create a window of opportunity for both sides to settle the contract," Taylor said. "We know a pay increase is important to the police officers, and as we enter the planning process for next year's budget in the coming months, it is important that we get healthcare costs under control. We are offering a detente -- an opportunity for both parties to put past disagreements aside and resolve this issue for the community once and for all."
Taylor said if SAPOA agrees to the clause, the city would drop its lawsuit with the police union over the 10-year evergreen clause. In addition, the city will file an extension with the appeals court to push back the deadline for filing any briefs in the City's appeal until April 6. The city also wants to meet with the union five times in hopes of reaching a deal by March 31.
KSAT 12's Myra Arthur Tweeted the developments from the news conference.