jrdunkle
10-17-2007, 10:24 PM
October 17th 2007
As some of you may know a bill has passed the house of Representatives titled "Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2007" This bill, which I am opposed to was introduced in the House on February 12, 2007 by Reps. Dale Kildee (D-Mich.) and John Duncan (R-Tenn.), would make Big Labor bosses monopoly bargaining agents for local and state police, firefighters, county paramedics, and other public-safety officers in all 50 states.
H.R. 980 would force thousands of state and local governments to recognize union officials as public-safety officers' exclusive bargaining agents.
I am not a union member, but I would not consider myself "Anti-Union." I cannot join the IAFF, since I am a part-time firefighter and also a volunteer in addition to my full time firefighter position. This practice, know as two-hatting, is prohibited according to the IAFF's constitution, “Section 1. Misconduct and Penalties... E. Advocating or encouraging any labor or any other rival organization, or acquiring or maintaining membership in any such organization including volunteer fire departments or associations.” I believe that unions have a place in the fire service, but it should not be forced upon us.
This bill would take away thousands of firefighters and police officers of their freedom to negotiate directly with their employers on their own behalf. This prohibition, enforced by fines and firings for violators, is the foundation of compulsory unionism.
In addition to taking the freedom of public-safety employees, federally imposed monopoly bargaining would cost state and local taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars annually just to pay for the direct costs it would add onto the contract-negotiation process. In addition to this, state laws regarding labor would have to be rewritten costing even more time and money.
Many communities are protected by completely volunteer fire companies, of which many of the volunteers are career firefighters that live in that community. H.R. 980 would endanger public safety by severely decreasing number of volunteer firefighters that currently protect thousands of small communities across America. A fact well understood and opposed by small community mayors and volunteer firefighters alike.
HR 980 gives a false since of security by stating nothing in H.R.980 "shall be construed" to permit "parties subject to the National Labor Relations Act . . . to negotiate provisions that would prohibit an employee from engaging in part-time employment or volunteer activities during off-duty hours." However, State and local public-safety employees are government employees and not subject to the NLRA.
I ask that you would contact the senators that represent your state and encourage them vote nay to this bill when it comes to vote.
Sincerely
Joseph R Dunkle
As some of you may know a bill has passed the house of Representatives titled "Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2007" This bill, which I am opposed to was introduced in the House on February 12, 2007 by Reps. Dale Kildee (D-Mich.) and John Duncan (R-Tenn.), would make Big Labor bosses monopoly bargaining agents for local and state police, firefighters, county paramedics, and other public-safety officers in all 50 states.
H.R. 980 would force thousands of state and local governments to recognize union officials as public-safety officers' exclusive bargaining agents.
I am not a union member, but I would not consider myself "Anti-Union." I cannot join the IAFF, since I am a part-time firefighter and also a volunteer in addition to my full time firefighter position. This practice, know as two-hatting, is prohibited according to the IAFF's constitution, “Section 1. Misconduct and Penalties... E. Advocating or encouraging any labor or any other rival organization, or acquiring or maintaining membership in any such organization including volunteer fire departments or associations.” I believe that unions have a place in the fire service, but it should not be forced upon us.
This bill would take away thousands of firefighters and police officers of their freedom to negotiate directly with their employers on their own behalf. This prohibition, enforced by fines and firings for violators, is the foundation of compulsory unionism.
In addition to taking the freedom of public-safety employees, federally imposed monopoly bargaining would cost state and local taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars annually just to pay for the direct costs it would add onto the contract-negotiation process. In addition to this, state laws regarding labor would have to be rewritten costing even more time and money.
Many communities are protected by completely volunteer fire companies, of which many of the volunteers are career firefighters that live in that community. H.R. 980 would endanger public safety by severely decreasing number of volunteer firefighters that currently protect thousands of small communities across America. A fact well understood and opposed by small community mayors and volunteer firefighters alike.
HR 980 gives a false since of security by stating nothing in H.R.980 "shall be construed" to permit "parties subject to the National Labor Relations Act . . . to negotiate provisions that would prohibit an employee from engaging in part-time employment or volunteer activities during off-duty hours." However, State and local public-safety employees are government employees and not subject to the NLRA.
I ask that you would contact the senators that represent your state and encourage them vote nay to this bill when it comes to vote.
Sincerely
Joseph R Dunkle