Public Safety Officers Deserve a Voice at Work

As the first on the scene during local and national emergencies, public safety officers deserve the right to speak out and be heard at work.

Yet tens of thousands of our nation’s firefighters and police officers on the front lines of homeland security are unfairly denied the basic right to bargain collectively.

S. 2123 would ensure all public safety officers have the opportunity to meet with local officials to discuss their jobs and how best to protect the public.

Please tell your senators to support the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act (S. 2123).

Tell me more

Subject:

Dear Senator,

(Edit Letter Below)

I am writing to urge you to support the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act (S. 2123).

Fire and police departments benefit immeasurably from productive partnerships between employers and employees. Studies have shown communities promoting such cooperation enjoy more effective and efficient delivery of emergency services. Such cooperation, however, is undermined in states that do not provide public safety employees with the fundamental right to bargain with their employers.

S. 2123 would grant public safety officers minimum collective bargaining rights in states that currently don't have them. The legislation would establish minimum standards for state collective bargaining laws, including:

--The right of public safety officers to bargain over wages, hours and working conditions; 
--A dispute resolution mechanism, such as fact-finding or mediation; and 
--Enforcement of contracts through state courts.

S. 2123 would not mandate binding arbitration. It would not force localities to sign contracts. It would not interfere with state "right to work" for less laws. And given the unique responsibilities of the public safety community, the bill would specifically outlaw strikes by firefighters, police officers and emergency medical personnel.

The Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act already enjoys significant bipartisan support. S. 2123 has 32 Senate sponsors, including 11 Republicans. Companion legislation in the House (H.R. 980) was passed under suspension by a margin of 314 to 97, including 98 Republicans.

For all these reasons, I urge you to support this critically important legislation.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]

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