AUSTIN, Texas — Negotiations between the city of Austin and the Austin Firefighters Association (AFA) have reached a standstill, with just days remaining in their Sept. 28 deadline. The dispute centers on pay increases and benefits for the city’s firefighters.
The 60-day bargaining period for the new four-year agreement began on July 30. According to AFA President Bob Nicks, the city of Austin canceled Monday’s scheduled meeting with the bargaining team.
In a post on social media, the AFA said the cancellation highlights the “recurring disrespect showed to our firefighters.” Nicks also criticized the city’s initial proposal, presented on Sept. 10, as inadequate and dismissive of firefighters’ needs…