NAPO Washington Reports

NAPO continues to urge members of Congress to reintroduce legislation to extend collective bargaining rights to public safety officers.

September 25, 2013

This week, NAPO discussed reintroducing the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act with staffers who work for the following members of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce: Congressman David Loebsack (D-IA), Congressman Tom Price (R-GA), Congressman Brett Guthrie (R-KY), Congressman Joe Heck (R-NV), Congressman Trey Gowdy (R-SC), Congressman Richard Hudson (R-NC), Congressman Larry Bucshon (R-IN), and Congressman Robert Andrews (D-NJ). During each of the meetings, NAPO stressed that passing legislation to extend collective bargaining rights to public safety officers is one of our top legislative priorities. NAPO also noted the strong bipartisan support the bill received when it was considered during the 111th Congress, which included 227 cosponsors (177 Democrats and 50 Republicans).

Federal law has extended collective bargaining rights to a number of different sectors, but not to public safety officers. Moreover, currently, many states do not allow public safety employees the fundamental right to bargain with their employers. History shows that denying workers the right to bargain collectively causes poor morale, the waste of resources, unfair and inadequate working conditions, and low productivity. Ultimately, it is the public's safety and security that is jeopardized by such poor working conditions.

In addition to providing public safety officers the right to bargain over wages, hours, and working conditions, the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act would: provide for fact finding and mediation to resolve disputes; protect current state laws, certification, and collective bargaining agreements; preserve legitimate management rights; and give public safety officers the right to form and join a union or association of their own choosing.

NAPO plans to continue efforts to advocate for this important legislation to members of the House Committee on Education & the Workforce and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions to ensure the bill is reintroduced during this Congress. Tomorrow, NAPO is scheduled to meet with staffers for the following members of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce: Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA), Congresswoman Susan Brooks (R-IN), Congressman Tim Bishop (D-NY), and Congressman Rush Holt (D-NJ).

NAPO has actively fought for the enactment of legislation to extend collective bargaining rights to public safety officers, and continues to make it a top legislative priority.  NAPO will continue to engage members of Congress to urge that this legislation be reintroduced during the 113th Congress.  We will provide regular updates to our members on this issue.

If you have any questions about this legislation, please contact Melissa Nee at:  mnee@napo.org.