San Antonio Park/Airport police officers sue city in wage dispute
San Antonio TX Sept 8 2019
New legal document we exclusively obtained reveal a new lawsuit between San Antonio Park/Airport police officers, and the City of San Antonio.
“It’s time to file a lawsuit against the City of San Antonio, based on the city’s failure to recognize these men and women, as San Antonio police officers,” said Ricky Poole, an attorney representing the San Antonio Park Police Officers Association (SAPPOA).
We’re told the lawsuit was filed on Tuesday. However, it likely won’t be served to the city until next week.
The 7-page lawsuit calls for equal pay between San Antonio Park and Airport police officers, compared to SAPD officers.
According to the documents we obtained, the defendants in the case will be the City of San Antonio, and City Manager Erik Walsh. In contrast, the plaintiffs will be the San Antonio Park Police Officers Association, Henry Bassuk, and Rogelio Tamez.
“We will likely have to go to court,” said Poole. “If we’re able to resolve it short of going to court, we’d be happy to do so.”
According to the document, “SAPPOA members are truly uniformed police officers of the San Antonio Police Department, and thus deserve the same compensation, benefits and contractual rights and opportunities as their brothers and sisters in SAPD have received through the collected bargaining process.”
“We were never trying to get something that we don’t deserve,” said Henry Bassuk, President of SAPPOA.
For weeks, the 2 sides have met behind closed doors to discuss the issue. Video we obtained, shows some of the meetings. However, in July, an attorney representing the city emailed Poole, telling him. “for the first time since 2008, there will be no agreement between the SAPPOA and the City.”
“You want me to do the work, you want me to take the risks,” said Bassuk. “I am more than happy to do that. I just don’t understand why you would pay me differently, or treat me differently, then the person next to me doing the same job.”
A spokesperson from SAPD provided the written statement below, responding to this lawsuit.
“We appreciate the partnership that exists between SAPD Officers and Park and Airport Officers,” said the SAPD Public Information Office. “There are, however, differences in the minimum standards and qualifications to becoming an SAPD Officer versus a Park or Airport Officer. Although there are substantial distinctions in training, investigative authority and responsibility, the Park and Airport Officers are dedicated partners who assist SAPD and provide an important role in public safety within their areas of responsibility.”
“There’s no difference,” said Bassuk. “I go out, I patrol, I see a crime, and I make an arrest.”
We’re told that airport and park police officers will receive a 4% pay increase. However, all employees on the City’s “step pay plan” also will receive an across the board 3% raise.
“The City recognizes the service park and airport police provide to our community,” said City Attorney Andy Segovia. “To that effect, as part of the FY2020 proposed budget, the City provided enhanced benefits, including a 4 percent across-the-board pay increase and an increase in the uniform allowance. We remain open to working with the San Antonio Park Police Officers Association to see how we can work together to address any other areas of concern.”
“For all intents and purposes, the City treats these individuals the same as San Antonio police officers,” said Poole. “They simply don’t pay them the same, as San Antonio police officers.”
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