AUSTIN'S LATEST COP CONTRACT FIASCO: NOW WITH MORE DELAYS AND DRAMA!

Well, well, well, look who’s back in the news! It’s been nearly two weeks since Austin officials and the police union shook on a new contract, and the drama has reached epic levels. 🎉

The city planned to vote on the contract this week, but surprise, surprise, they pushed it back to Oct. 24. Because, you know, they need "more time to review and gather additional public input." 🙄 Yeah, right.

Council members will get a briefing on this mess at their Tuesday work session. Buckle up, folks! 🥳

Why the delay? Oh, just a few organizations, including the union of 4,500 city workers, voicing their displeasure. 🤬 The proposed contract will cost nearly $218 million over five years and give officers a sweet 28% raise.

AFSCME 1624 said, "The proposed $218 million police contract raises significant concerns regarding transparency and equity for the rest of Austin's workforce." Translation: "We don't want our tax dollars going to pamper the police." 💸

The city and the Austin Police Association have been without a contract for about a year and a half. Officials think a long-term deal will help recruitment and retention. But with about 350 vacancies, it looks like nobody wants to sign up for this circus. 🤡

The real fun started when the city released the proposed contract and activists pointed out issues with the G-file — that confidential personnel file holding misconduct allegations. Activists want it gone, but the association thinks making it public would "harm officers." Boohoo. 🥺

A Travis County judge ruled that the G-file must go, so the city had to revisit its language. Council members, led by José "Chito" Vela, asked for clarity. Deborah Thomas, interim city attorney, said the contract doesn’t allow for any G-file legacy.

Michael Bullock, president of the Austin Police Association, initially said those retroactive G-files wouldn’t be released, but he reversed his stance in interviews with other media outlets.

Activists with Equity Action claim the contract violates the charter by allowing officers to file grievances. Grievances led to an arbitrator weakening the Office of Police Oversight, which brought oversight to the ballot last year.

Kathy Mitchell, senior adviser for Equity Action, said allowing grievances could revert the G-file provisions, letting pre-existing materials be withheld. Mike Siegel, who represents Equity Action and is running for City Council, sent a letter highlighting concerns about the G-file and grievances.

So, there you have it. Another week, another saga in the never-ending soap opera that is Austin’s police contract. Stay tuned for the next thrilling episode! 🎬