Anyone hear about this bill. Im not sure if its still up for vote but if so, this could be bad news.

Basically the bill will force all public service personell into a national union. I am a member of a state-wide union, but I dont want to be forced into anything I have to pay for in order to keep my job. I have to look into this more, but I thought you guys would like to know about it....if you dont already.

Haven't heard of that one, But when I worked in Massachusetts The State police were members of the Teamsters, which made for some interesting traffic stops with some of those Big Rigs. Fellow Union Brothers and all

Oldgoat wrote:

Haven't heard of that one, But when I worked in Massachusetts The State police were members of the Teamsters, which made for some interesting traffic stops with some of those Big Rigs. Fellow Union Brothers and all

I really dont want to get into that crap...It's political enough without extra baggage in this line of work. Our union is private, but it has chapters all over Texas, and all they work with are LEOs.

Here's a good link to the entire text of the bill, a summary, and a feed to track its progress:

www.govtrack.us/congre...=s111-3194

Just skimmed the material on the actual bill and I can't see that it hurts Public Safety employees in any way. It appears to merely expand the right to organize bargaining units in those places where collective bargaining is not allowed. It does not supercede existing unions and bargaining units, nor does it require mandatory participation in a union to be able to work. Keep in mind that there are many places across the country where the Officers are cannon fodder for their bosses and the politicians. They are told in no uncertain terms, "You try to organize and your job is history." Trust me when I suggest that if there were any threat to the major Police Unions and Associations in the country, they would be lobbying Congress like mad to defeat and not promote this legislation.

I.T.2- I havent looked into it too deeply myself. Im not really versed in these senate bills, but you dont think it gives a lot of power to the Unions that are outside of our states and jurisdictions...Seems a little much to me, but like I said, I havent read the whole bill yet.

I am a member of a union, but we really have no "bargaining power" because it is against state law for peace officers to become involved in a strike. But we do have the financial support of the union by means of attorneys and legal support if we are railroaded by our agency. They also spend a lot of money and manpower lobbyign for support of peace officers statewide. I hope this doesnt interfear with the workings of this organization or any like it. Ill try to read the whole thing later.

Thanks for the insight I.T.2