COSA News — The City of San Antonio and the San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association reached a tentative agreement today that achieves significant wage increases for firefighters while continuing to meet the needs and priorities of residents.
“This tentative agreement demonstrates that we are writing a new chapter for labor relations within the City organization. I am thrilled that we were able to reach this point in a professional and timely manner,” said Mayor Ron Nirenberg. “We should all be grateful to the negotiating teams, and I congratulate the San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association and the City of San Antonio on turning a page for the betterment of our firefighters and their families. María Villagómez, Elizabeth Provencio, Erik Walsh, Joe Jones, and their respective teams deserve kudos for skillfully navigating this process.”
Under the terms of the agreement, firefighters would receive a 20 percent wage increase over three years, to include seven percent in fiscal year 2025, eight percent in fiscal year 2026, and five percent in fiscal year 2027. The total cost of the contract is $109.6 million over three years.
The City and the Union have met 13 times since negotiations began on February 29. This is the first time the City and the Fire Union have agreed on terms of a contract since 2009.
“This is a good contract,” City Manager Erik Walsh said. “It provides wages that would keep our firefighters among the best paid in the state. That was our goal, and we achieved that goal. I certainly value the work all of our firefighters do every day to keep this city safe. I appreciate the hard work done by Deputy City Manager Maria Villagomez and the entire City team as well as District Chief Joe Jones and Local 624.”
In addition to increasing firefighters’ wages, the contract enhances the City’s process for promotions, provides more accountability in the City’s sick leave process, and offers firefighters a more robust parental leave benefit.
Before the tentative agreement is finalized, union membership must ratify the terms, and the City Council must approve the contract.
