NAPO RELEASES STATE-BY-STATE SURVEY
OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING LAWS
FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS

The survey provides detailed information concerning each state's laws (or lack thereof) indicating: (1) the existence and scope of any collective bargaining rights for law enforcement officers; (2) the labor rights of law enforcement officers, such as the right to organize and be represented by employee organizations and to bring grievances; (3) the rights of and prohibitions on employing agencies (The rights include specification of matters issues solely within management's control, and the prohibitions on public agencies include descriptions of unfair labor practices--such as agency interference with or coercion of employees who exercise their rights and refusals to bargain in good faith.); (4) the nature and extent of collective bargaining, including the method of selecting the employees' bargaining representative or unit and the resolution of impasses and disputes with management, such as mediation, fact-finding, and arbitration.

"We decided to take on this project of compiling a national survey of state collective bargaining laws applicable to law enforcement officers, because it is in the best interest of citizens in those states which do not have collective bargaining laws to encourage their legislators to consider and enact such legislation. We hope our survey will serve as a useful tool for lobbying efforts across the country," said Robert T. Scully, NAPO's executive director.

"Legislation granting collective bargaining rights to law enforcement officers will improve cooperation, employee working conditions, and the effective delivery of public services. It will also give law enforcement officers and other public employees more dignity, fairness, and respect. History has proved that collective bargaining has brought stability to law enforcement and management relations and ensured more effective law enforcement," continued Scully.

"Many states have comprehensive collective bargaining laws, which protect employees' rights to organize; require management to bargain in good faith with public employee representatives; provide for mediation or arbitration if both sides reach an impasse; and, prohibit public employees from striking," said Scully. "Collective bargaining has proved to be the most effective and democratic means by which labor and management, in both the private and public sectors, have achieved cooperation, advancement, improved employment conditions, and increased productivity," continued Scully.

"Law enforcement officers endure strenuous, stressful, and hazardous conditions. Often, law enforcement officers are required to work long hours in difficult conditions, are disabled (sometimes permanently) from on-the-job injuries, and are placed in dangerous situations requiring the potential deadly use of force. They need the benefits of collective bargaining, especially helpful when confronting management or elected officials, who can be non-sympathetic or even antagonistic to these unique working conditions," said Scully. "History shows that the denial of the right to collectively bargain and to avail of resolution-dispute mechanisms causes poor employee morale, inadequate working conditions, and less effective law enforcement," said Scully.

Copies of the survey are available to non-NAPO members and the general public for $19.95. Please call Jody Couser at (202) 842-3560 to request an order form.

The National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) is a coalition of police unions and associations from across the United States that serves in Washington, DC to advance the interests of America's law enforcement officers through legislative and legal advocacy, political action and education. Founded in 1978, NAPO now represents more than 4,000 police unions and associations, 250,000 sworn law enforcement officers, 3,000 retired officers and more than 100,000 citizens who share a common dedication to fair and effective crime control and law enforcement.

###