Police contract talks break off ahead of July 31 deadline

City manager, police union in a war of words

SAN ANTONIO – Hours after police contract talks broke off ahead of the July 31 deadline, City Manager Sheryl Sculley and Mike Helle, president of the San Antonio Police Officers Association, engaged in a war of words.

"Today's SAPOA proposal attempts to take all of the 66 percent public safety budget capacity over the next five years, leaving zero for city firefighters," Sculley said in a statement.

She concluded by saying, "The unions spent more money during the 2015 election trying to defeat Mayor (Ivy) Taylor and City Council members than they are willing to spend on health care premiums."

Sculley's reaction came after Friday's negotiations ended without a deal.

Ron DeLord, SAPOA's chief negotiator, said, "I think we're really close. There's been a lot of hard work on both sides."

DeLord said he predicts a new contract is possible, "but we're just not going to get it today."

"I'm assuming there will still be discussions over the next two weeks," said Erik Walsh, deputy city manager.

In response to Sculley's statement, Helle said, "It's sad that the city manager is turning a productive day into attacks."

Helle said Sculley wasn't present during the contract talks.

"She did, however, appear after all the hard work was done to make outlandish statements that are outright deceptive," Helle said.

The union president said the SAPOA proposed contract would take 30.5 percent of the city budget, not 66 percent as Sculley indicated.

Helle said now that the city elections are over, "We are focused on the future and working with City Council. Sheryl Sculley is focused on personal vendettas and winning at all costs."

He said, "Someone needs to remind Sheryl Sculley we are all part of the same family."

Helle said the union cut $15 million out of its latest offer. He said they've asked for a 13.5 percent raise in base wages over five years, plus a lump sum of 3 percent when the contract is ratified.

However, in summarizing the issues over wages and health coverage separating both sides, the deputy city manager disagreed with the size of the raise.

"The police union doesn't want to pay premiums for dependents while they're asking for a 16.5 percent pay raise," Walsh said. "That's still $31 million more than the city has."

Click here to keep up with the collective bargaining process online.


About the Author:

Jessie Degollado has been with KSAT since 1984. She is a general assignments reporter who covers a wide variety of stories. Raised in Laredo and as an anchor/reporter at KRGV in the Rio Grande Valley, Jessie is especially familiar with border and immigration issues. In 2007, Jessie also was inducted into the San Antonio Women's Hall of Fame.