Overview
- The council vote was unanimous after 72% of Austin Firefighters Association members ratified the agreement.
- Compensation includes at least a 2.9% raise in year one, a 5.5% boost for entry-level pay, raises of 3%, 3.5% and 4% in years two through four, and a $1,100 bonus at the start of the new year.
- The deal preserves the four-person staffing requirement, and the union will drop its charter amendment campaign to lock that standard into city law.
- The contract creates an 'Austin Schedule' that averages 49.8 hours per week with a 1-on/3-off/2-on/3-off rotation, begins phased rollout in March, requires full implementation by October 2027, and temporarily returns firefighters to a 53-hour week for 18 months to facilitate hiring.
- Officials highlight potential unfunded overtime exposure tied to staffing mandates, while the first year of costs is covered in the FY 2025–26 budget and the pact adds flexible hiring and a streamlined promotions process.