U.S. Reps. Peter Stauber (R-MN) and Dan Kildee (D-MI) revived pro-unionization efforts for public safety officers nationwide last week with the reintroduction of the Public Safety Employer-Employee Act.
That bill would allow public safety officers to form labor unions, collectively bargain for hours and wages, and establish means for resolution during negotiation troubles. Stauber, a former police officer, started such a union in Duluth, Minn., and called others like it vital for those who put their lives on the line in service to their communities.
“These past couple of years have been especially difficult for our public safety officers, so it’s more important than ever before to ensure they have a voice in the workplace,” Stauber said. “That’s why on this National Police Week, I am proud partner with twelve of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to strengthen the workplace rights of law enforcement officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel.”
In justifying the establishment of minimal standards and these new unions, the legislation emphasized that absence of cooperation between public safety employers and employees could affect interstate and intrastate commerce, services from law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services, health and well-being of employees and morale among affected departments. In other words, it would be in the public interest to allow it, in supporters’ views.
“All workers, including police officers, firefighters and EMS workers, should be able to join a union and bargain for better wages and safer working conditions,” Kildee said.
The effort was backed by several first responder associations including the Fraternal Order of Police, National Association of Police Organizations and International Association of Fire Fighters.