Government
BY GRACE DICKENS & BEN THOMPSON
City, Austin re ghters reach tentative deal The city and Austin Fire ghters Association have once again reached a tentative agreement for a four- year labor deal. This comes weeks after approval of a previous version was temporarily put on hold due to concerns over a separate union-backed ballot measure. In a nutshell More than two months after the conclusion of labor negotiations between the city and AFA, which represents most Austin re ghters, talks were restarted to clarify some outstanding issues raised after the initial draft agreement was announced in September. Two days of bargaining Dec. 4-5 resulted in a new tentative deal between both sides that went for nal approval by AFA’s membership and City Council. The original contract framework provided for re ghter pay increases over the coming years
Rollingwood swears in council members Following the Nov. 4 election, Rolling- wood City Council welcomed two returning council members and one new council member at its Nov. 17 meeting. The details Returning council members Brook Brown and Phil McDu ee were joined by newcomer Kevin Schell, taking the place of outgoing council member Alec Robinson. Schell previously served on the city’s Board of Adjustment. All three of the sworn-in candidates ran unopposed. A resolution was also passed honoring Robinson at the meeting, who was elected to council in 2021. “It’s been an amazing honor to be able to serve the community the past four years,” Robinson said.
A four-year contract agreement reached in December concluded months of negotiations.
BEN THOMPSON COMMUNITY IMPACT
as well as changes to recruitment and promotion processes aimed at growing and maintaining the Austin Fire Department force. The deal also set up a new sta ng format to reduce re ghters’ weekly hours once implemented. What’s next Council plans to vote on the agreement Dec. 18, after press time, following anticipated approval by AFA members.
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