San Antonio firefighters and paramedics overwhelmingly approved of a new, tentative labor contract between their union and the city, according to a vote tally released Monday by San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association officials.
Of the 1,363 votes cast, 1,328 voted in favor of the tentative agreement, which includes 20% in wage increases spread out over the next three years and other base pay increases.
Only 35 union members voted against the measure.
It’s the first time fire union members have had an opportunity to vote on a contract since 2009. According to the union, 76% of members cast their vote.
The current collective bargaining agreement was crafted by a panel of arbitrators after a bitter, years-long battle during which annual base pay increases were stalled.
After meeting 13 times since February, the three-year contract was hammered out by city and union officials in a marathon, 14-hour bargaining session last month.
“While the contract will not provide parity with San Antonio Police Officers, it does get us on a path toward organizational stability and health,” said Joe Jones, president of the fire union.
City Manager Erik Walsh said the tentative contract would keep San Antonio firefighters “among the best paid in the state.”
“This contract also balances our ability to continue to deliver key services while investing in the community’s priorities,” Walsh said in an email. “I’d like to thank the fire union for their willingness to work with us to secure a contract negotiated in a timely manner.”
City Council will take its own vote on the contract on Thursday, the same day it considers the fiscal year 2025 budget that starts Oct. 1. The increased costs associated with the contract — $27.7 million over three years — sent city administrators looking for deeper budget cuts over the past several weeks.
Walsh proposed cutting green initiatives among other budget adjustments, including increasing ambulance fees. Ultimately, council will make the final budget call.
Given the strong show of support from rank-and-file membership, it’s unlikely that council will give the contract a thumbs down.
Negotiations were headed toward turmoil in May when several city council members called for more “transparency” around the then-stalled contract negotiations. The full council was given a status update one week later with little fanfare and talks restarted at the bargaining table.
