Police Union Wants City Manager Ousted
The relationship between the city and the San Antonio Police Officers Association had already gotten heated over attempts by the city to get the union to negotiate a new contract with less generous health benefits. Now, the San Antonio Police Officers Association is fighting back by releasing audio from what they say was an unethical “push poll” conducted at the orders of the City Manager and the Chamber of Commerce.
On the tape, which San Antonio POA President Michael Helle says was recorded by a person who received the poll call on December 17, the pollster asks a poll respondent several pointed questions, including “Do you think we should keep police and firefighter benefits as they are, and increase property taxes for everything else the city needs?” At one point, the caller suggests that the average San Antonian would have to pay $500 more in taxes a year to pay for police and firefighter health care benefits.
Helle says the poll, and the fact that the city and the Chamber lied about it when questioned, has shown to the public that City Manager Sheryl Sculley and Chamber President Richard Perez aren’t interested in reaching a contract agreement; they are interested in breaking up the union.