Negotiations between the city and the San Antonio Police Officers’ Association stalled Friday, with union leaders stepping away from the bargaining table after calling the city’s latest pay proposal unacceptable.
The move effectively pauses formal negotiations, with no next meeting scheduled — a break from the typical bargaining cycle where both sides adjourn and return with counteroffers.
The pause comes after weeks of steady progress in talks over a new three-year labor contract, marking a sharp shift in tone as both sides now face a widening divide over officer pay and benefits.
SAPOA’s initial proposal called for a 9% across-the-board raise, along with additional hourly wage increases and expanded benefits — a package city officials previously estimated would cost roughly $155 million over three years.
The city’s latest proposal includes about $76 million in new funding over three years, with base pay increases ranging from roughly 10% to 14% depending on rank, along with changes to incentive pay and health benefits, according to the city.
Christopher Lutton, the union’s lead negotiator, said the proposal fell well short of expectations and triggered immediate backlash from rank-and-file officers, many of whom began contacting union leadership while negotiations were still underway.
“We don’t even think that offer is competitive with the market,” Lutton said. “In the age of digital technology, our membership made it very clear that they’re not happy with the offer at all.”
SAPOA President Danny Diaz echoed that sentiment in an interview following the meeting, describing the reaction from officers as swift and overwhelming.
“The membership feels that the city doesn’t care about its officers,” Diaz said. “There were calls from our members while we’re still sitting at the table.”
In a statement following the negotiations, city officials said the proposal delivers meaningful pay increases while balancing the city’s long-term fiscal health and ability to fund a full range of services for residents.
Debate over pay drives breakdown
The turning point came as the city presented its full compensation package — the most consequential piece of negotiations that had until now been focused on lower-conflict provisions.
The city’s latest counteroffer builds on an earlier proposal of 8.5% in base pay increases, while adding smaller hourly wage adjustments of 0.6% in the first two years and 2.4% in the last year, as well as incentive pay increases and changes to health benefits.
Under the proposal, patrol officers and detectives would see total base pay increases of about 12% to 14%, while supervisory ranks would see increases ranging from 10% to 12%, according to a statement from the city. Entry-level officers would see the largest gains, approaching 14%.
But union leaders said the offer remains far below their initial proposal, which called for hourly wage increases totaling $5 per hour over three years, in addition to a 9% raise.
“There are departments offering that in one year, not over three years,” Lutton said in response to the offer.
Diaz points to recent agreements in other Texas cities. “Laredo got 10% for one year, and what was thrown out today was 12% over three years,” Diaz said. “How would you feel? To the membership, It’s a slap in the face, and they’re pretty upset.”
City emphasizes total compensation
City officials defended the proposal as a balanced approach that considers both officer compensation and long-term financial constraints.
An independent survey commissioned by the city found San Antonio ranks among the top three Texas cities in total compensation when benefits such as health care, pensions and incentive pay are included.
For officers with 20 years of service, total cash compensation in San Antonio was about $149,901. This ranks slightly behind Houston at roughly $150,363 and Austin at $159,910, according to the analysis.
City officials have emphasized the need to balance those requests with long-term budget realities, noting that any agreement must ultimately fit within the city’s broader financial plan. Officials said the goal is to maintain that position while managing rising costs, particularly in health care.
Deputy City Manager María Villagómez said the city does not want to lose ground from where they are today and is committed to maintaining the spot in the top three departments for total compensation across the state.
Lutton repeatedly pressed city officials to define what position San Antonio is aiming for in the market so officers can better understand the city’s long-term vision.
“If the city’s goal and vision for the police department is being middle of the road, let the membership know that,” Lutton said. “The membership has an idea that the city sees a vision with their police department leading or being close to the top of the market, and anything we do that counters that movement reduces that possibility.”
Talks pause as sides regroup
Following the exchange, union leaders told the city they would step away from the bargaining table to review the proposal and determine next steps.
Diaz said additional conversations could still take place, but emphasized that any return to the table would depend on the city bringing forward a stronger offer.
“They need to come with something a lot different because the members have been watching and they didn’t like what they saw today,” Diaz said. “What we came with is doable. You know, the least they could have done today was meet in the middle, and they didn’t even do that.”
Despite the pause, neither side says that negotiations have collapsed entirely with negotiators having reached tentative agreement on seven of 16 articles.
“That’s real progress. The remaining nine articles are where the substantive negotiations are happening, and we’re committed to working through them constructively,” the city wrote in a statement. “Both sides want the same thing: a fair contract that recognizes our officers’ service.”
City Manager Erik Walsh says he remains confident the two sides can reach an agreement as the city prepares for the 2027 budget process.
“I believe it’s critical to finalize the tentative agreement and understand all the costs in advance of the city preparing for the FY 2027 Budget process,” he said in a statement following negotiations.
