San Antonio police union and City Hall begin contract talks, with pay and staffing central issues

Contract negotiations open as current agreement nears expiration

San Antonio’s police union and city negotiators formally opened collective bargaining talks on January 30, 2026, starting a process that will shape pay, benefits and working conditions for thousands of officers. The current collective bargaining agreement between the city and the San Antonio Police Officers Association is scheduled to expire on September 30, 2026.

The union represents about 2,600 members. The department is budgeted for just over 2,900 union-eligible positions, with all ranks eligible except the chief. Any final agreement must be ratified by union members and then approved by the mayor and the 10-member City Council.

Union proposal emphasizes wages and shift differentials

Union negotiators entered the first session with compensation as their stated priority. Their opening proposal calls for a 9% across-the-board wage increase spread over three years, plus annual adjustments to hourly rates totaling $10,400.

The union has also proposed creating or expanding pay differentials for officers working weekends, afternoons and overnight shifts. Negotiators described the differential pay concept as both a retention tool for experienced officers and an incentive for newer officers to staff harder-to-fill shifts.

In addition to pay, the union signaled interest in changing contract length. The existing agreement spans five years, and union representatives raised the possibility of a shorter three-year contract to allow both sides to revisit terms more frequently as policing practices and operational needs evolve.

City finances and compensation framework likely to be key constraints

The start of negotiations comes as city officials confront broader budget pressures tied to revenue trends and costs across municipal services. Police spending is the largest share of San Antonio’s general fund. The San Antonio Police Department’s budget is just over $632 million in the current fiscal year, within a general fund of nearly $1.7 billion.

City negotiators have not publicly outlined their opening positions, but city officials have emphasized evaluating police compensation through a “total compensation” lens rather than base salary alone. That approach considers specialty and certification pays, longevity pay, allowances, and the value of benefits such as health coverage and pension contributions.

Discipline provisions remain part of the contract backdrop

While this round of talks opened with a focus on pay, the discipline framework embedded in the current agreement is an important reference point for negotiations. The existing contract includes provisions that narrowed the circumstances under which an arbitrator can overturn a termination and allowed consideration of an officer’s prior disciplinary record when determining discipline in later cases.

What happens next

• The city is expected to deliver an initial response to the union’s demands in late March.

• Negotiations will continue through 2026 ahead of the September 30 expiration date of the current agreement.

• Any final deal will require votes by union members and City Council before taking effect.

Negotiations will determine whether San Antonio pursues higher base wages, expanded shift premiums, or a combination of pay components within a budget where police spending remains a dominant expense.