Fire fighters and police officers risk their lives every day to protect the public; they deserve the same right to discuss workplace issues with their employer that the federal government grants to most other workers.

The Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act, legislation granting fire fighters and police officers minimum collective bargaining rights, introduced as H.R. 980 by Representatives Dale Kildee (D-MI) and John Duncan (R-TN), overwhelmingly passed the House of Representatives in July. In the Senate, the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act was introduced by Senators Judd Gregg (R-NH) and Ted Kennedy (D-MA) as S. 2123. The bills establish minimum standards for state collective bargaining laws.

S. 2123, the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act, was offered and later withdrawn as an amendment to the Farm bill as a result of ardent opposition by a few anti-labor Senators. The IAFF is optimistic that Congress will pass the bill in its second session.

For more information about collective bargaining rights and current congressional action, click here: Fact Sheet

Learn more about the importance of collective bargaining rights for public safety officers: Key Points