San Antonio Workers Secure Budget Victory Amid Cost-of-Living Crisis

San Antonio City Workers Achieve Notable Budgetary Success Amid Economic Challenges

In a notable development for city workers in San Antonio, a significant budgetary win has been secured, enabling them to continue serving their community amidst a challenging cost-of-living landscape.

The looming budget deficit in San Antonio posed a threat to the members of AFSCME Local 2021. These workers, responsible for essential services ranging from road maintenance to park ranger duties and sanitation inspections, sought to leverage their collective influence for impactful change.

Members of AFSCME Local 2021 actively participated in hearings, reached out to council offices, and engaged with the elected leaders they supported. Their clear message highlighted their struggle with being priced out of the city they have dedicated their careers to serving, advocating for wage increases that reflect the critical services they provide.

Their efforts bore fruit.

This year, a budget was approved featuring a 2% across-the-board salary increase along with a $750 addition to base salaries. This was an improvement over the city's initial offer of a 2% increase and a 5% rise in health care insurance costs.

"The city’s new budget is a relief to my own budget," expressed Andrew Gregory, an airport operations supervisor and member of Local 2021. "While the cost of nearly everything skyrockets, this raise helps me and my family finally catch our breath."

The journey to this victory was not without its challenges.

Previously, San Antonio city workers were barred from participating in political processes. However, last year saw a pivotal change with the passing of Proposition D, driven by AFSCME members' activism, which dismantled this barrier.

With newfound political voice, members of AFSCME capitalized on this change to accumulate influence. Following the Prop D triumph, members engaged in extensive outreach, knocking on doors, conversing with coworkers and community members, showcasing the power of organized public workers during city elections.

"The work paid off," said Gregory, the airport supervisor. "We got 8 out of 10 council seats and a strong pro-labor mayor. But just as importantly, members got to participate in collective power-building in ways they hadn’t before."

This activism ultimately paved the way for gaining the recognition and compensation necessary to sustain the vital operations of their city.