A bipartisan bill recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would allow public safety officers to form and join a labor union to collectively bargain with their employers on hours, wages and conditions of employment.
The label “public safety officers” applies to state and city firefighters, police officers and EMS personnel.
If the bill becomes law, the Federal Labor Relations Authority would have three months to determine which states do not allow public safety employees the ability to bargain collectively and which prevent them from forming a labor union. States would have two years to comply with the law.
The bill, the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act, was introduced by Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Congressman Dan Kildee (D-MI).
“Our police officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel stepped up to serve their community, and when we need help, they answer our call,” Fitzpatrick said. “They have earned the right to form a union and collectively bargain for fair hours and wages. I’m proud to stand with our first responders and Representative Kildee to introduce this important legislation.”
Labor unions are critical to growing the nation’s middle class, Kildee said.
The bill is supported by the National Association of Police Organizations and the International Association of Fire Fighters.