Collective Bargaining Could Become Law

Collective Bargaining Could Become Law

Posted: July 13th, 2010 02:51 PM GMT-05:00

Susan Nicol Kyle
Officer.com News

Collective bargaining for all of the nation's public safety workers is a step closer to becoming law.

The measure -- that's been in the works for about 16 years -- has been included in the House Supplemental Appropriations Bill.

IAFF and FOP officials are working closely with legislators to insure that the amendments presented are acceptable, and will gain the necessary votes.

"We've had bi-partisan support in the past, and we still do," said Barry Kasinitz, IAFF director of government affairs.

He sees the inclusion of the measure in a bill that funds the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and relief from the massive oil leak as the perfect vehicle to move it through.

Supplemental appropriations -- considered as a must pass bill -- is expected to be concluded before members of Congress take their month-long August recess.

FOP National President Chuck Canterbury urged officers to get involved, and not to sit idly by.

In a statement to members, Canterbury said: "While I remain cautiously optimistic that our language will be in the House bill when it passes, our members need to keep in mind that the situation remains very fluid."

He added: "This opportunity did not happen by accident -- it was created by the hard work of the Washington, D.C. staff. Our grassroots activism, both ongoing and the Day on the Hill event in May also helped create a situation where Congressional leadership agreed to include our language -- a bill that we've been working on for more than fifteen years -- into a must pass spending bill."

Canterbury told his membership: "This is a huge opportunity."

He also warned about negativity, and the importance of maintaining professionalism throughout the process.

Kasinitz explained that the collective bargaining initiative will require employers of career firefighters, EMS personnel, police officers and other public safety to meet and discuss issues.

He was quick to dispel information that the measure is a quiet maneuver to eliminate volunteer fire departments. "There is nothing here that in any way hinders the volunteer fire service," Kasinitz said.

Further, he said if career firefighters want a union, they should be able to form one.

"We are not doing this to increase the number of career firefighters or the number of union members."

A number of articles and blogs have surfaced accusing the IAFF of trying to bolster their ranks and snuffing out volunteers across the country.

Kasinitz vows that's not the case. He said the measure will enable career public safety officers to work in more safe environments and address other issues with their employers.

The NVFC is remaining neutral on the bill.

The organization took the stance after an inclusion that offers job protection for career personnel who want to volunteer when they are off-duty.

The section reads: "to permit parties in states subject to the regulations and procedures ... to negotiate provisions that would prohibit an employee from engaging in part-time employment or volunteer activities during off-duty hours."

If the measure is signed into law, unions will not be able to stipulate or negotiate that as a condition of employment, volunteering is not allowed.

"That protection is very important," said David Finger, NVFC governmental affairs director.

The proposed legislation does not, however, prevent the IAFF from kicking those who volunteer out of their locals.

The CFSI is monitoring the legislation as it does with all emergency services-related issues. But, it is not actively involved, explained Bill Webb, CFSI executive director.

Collective bargaining justifies the existence of unions. This bill passing just gives them more members and more money in their coffers. More money in the coffers means more money to politicians from the unions in the form of contributions. It is a win for everyone but the LEOs, Fire and EMT personnel, they pay the dues that fund the unions that make promises, the union gives money paid by members to politicians who make promises and in the end the people paying the money (union members) get nothing. Not even a reach around. It is an incomplete cycle, it does not fully return to those with which it originated.

Collective bargaining sounds good in theory but when you get down to the truth it is a scam ran by unions and politicians to make money off of hard working people looking to get ahead through misrepresented representation. Look at the political climate in this country. Does it represent the will of the people, or the will of special interest groups, lobbying groups, etc..

A pyramid scheme legalized by a law built on the backs of the working folks, that is all unions are about.

Unions were originally started in the United States by groups with communist ties, and work on communist principles.

Sorry but I can not agree with your statement. The state, that's all State Leo Agencies continue to have problems arising from the state ignoring the collective bargaining process. This is not to blame on any union! This law would hold all agencies accountable in these instances. Nothing can be done now because its been the same for so long.

I myself am feed up with our agency making these closed door decisions that affect all of us! Its time for the accountability be upheld. Say what you want but, this was posted for information sharing seeing that nothing but *****ing goes on here. A positive post for once.

This law gives everyone collective bargaining. We already have it. No where do I find that this will change anything for us. It would seem that collective bargaining does not work for us. So why would it work for everyone else? The union is involved with and allowing the department to perform the closed door deals. Unions are crooked, even when run by LEO's and ex-LEO's. I have been in and dealt with four different unions in my working life and have seen enough to know that they are a scam, they do just as many back door deals with management, and they look out for "their" own not the members.

The union is to blame if the State is the one ignoring the collective bargaining process. The union is not doing it's job if it is allowing this to occur. Why is the union not filing lawsuits to force the State to follow the process that is in place? We have collective bargaining and it is the unions job to make it stick, but they choose not to. Why? The law is already in place for us in the form of a contract. So why does the union not make the State stick to it? Is the union that weak? Are they benefiting in some way from allowing the illegal actions to continue? Something can be done the union just chooses not to. If nothing can be done then what use is the union and the process?

Thanks for the post. You see it as positive. I see it as more brother/sister LEO's being led to the milking barn thinking that they are going to be taken care of when all that is going to happen is that they are going to be taken from. Think about it. Why would a politician pass a law that could make their job more difficult? Collective bargaining means one more process to deal with. They are looking for and have been promised something (money) by the unions. "Pass this bill and we will have more members which means we can give you MORE money."

I to post for the purpose of information, the truth, not the snow job we have been given.

I have to agree with Freud. If the collective bargaining process is not being followed by the state or department then it is the union's fault. They are not doing their job if they are allowing this to go on. They can file with PERC, they can file law suits, they can not be so quick to want to try and get the contract voted in. The union does not even try to get us anything new, they just want to get the contract voted in so they are good for years to come. At the same time it is also our fault for allowing the union to do this. We can choose to change our union, we can sue the union for failure to provide services,etc.. We need to start holding the union accountable. They will use the tired old excuse that not everyone is a member, well maybe if they were a little more aggressive they would have more dues paying members.

Your union is only as good as its members. If the union is not doing what they promised the membership, then it is up to the members to stand up to them. If the state is not doing what the law says they are to do it again is up to the membership to stand up to them.

PBA is worthless and has not done anything for us. They are trying to ratify the current contract without trying to make any changes. Why the rush? Why are they not trying to make some changes. At least go through it and take out IUPA name where they overlooked the wording from the last contract. I say we throw PBA out and since IUPA is the only union wanting our business then give them another chance. They have to be better than what we have.

We all know times are tough and there is no money. We know there is no raise coming for us. How about then changing some of the perks which would cost minimal. Take away this stupid insurance payment we have to pay the agency. You are going to tell me $4.57 is going to break the agency's budget. That is not the only thing they ca ngo after there are several more.

It is time to stop and stand up to both the union and the state and say we have had enough. We have to get united and fight for what we want not just sit back and hope we get it.

I am a 20 plus year active member of the FOP and they have done more for LEO's than any of the other unions. I only wish they could come in and take over the state LEO as the collective bargaining union.

Appreciate all the positive information gained by these post! Just as a ordinary sleo, nothing that comes up will ever work and all unions are worthless as a broken record. Glad to have posted a positive note but as you read and come up with negative words to share, look in the mirror and figure out how worthless you are to yourself!

Sorry I do live in a fairy tale world and choose to see things for what they are instead of what I want them to be. I guess life would be easier if I did. Again sorry but I choose to deal in facts instead of hope. Look at what hope has gotten us in the last 2 years.