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The Port Arthur Police Association’s contract negotiations for 2025 have stalled due to a dispute over accrual rates for paid time off. 

For the past several months, the Police Officers’ Association and the City of Port Arthur have been negotiating a new contract, per their collective bargaining agreement that is done every year. 

This year, the Officers Association is arguing that their paid time off should be based on a 10-hour work day instead of an 8-hour work day that the city currently recognizes. The Association cites the lack of staff and the need to attract and retain officers with a competitive benefits package as the reason for the disagreement. 

The association also states that the Port Arthur Firefighters, who also have collective bargaining, calculate their paid time off by their work day. 

“The Association is not asking for any preferential treatment or benefits. We are merely asking for the same benefits and fair treatment as our Firefighter civil service counterparts,” said Chris Billiot, President of the Port Arthur Police Officers’ Association.