Washington, D.C. – To protect firefighters and police officers from unfair work practices, Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) today introduced his Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2007. The bill would enable firefighters and police officers to discuss and negotiate workplace issues with their employers.

“Our firefighters and police officers risk their lives to keep us safe. Yet there are some states in this country that deny them the basic right to discuss workplace issues with their employers – a right many Americans have. My bill would change that,” Congressman Kildee said. “With more workplace rights, our firefighters and police officers will be able to better serve their communities.”   

Specifically, this bill requires each state to provide minimum collective bargaining rights to their public safety employees in whatever manner the states choose.  The bill also outlines certain provisions that must be included in state laws, but relegates the major decisions to the state legislatures. A majority of states, such as Michigan, would be exempt from this bill since they already offer collective bargaining rights.

Congressman Kildee’s legislation is significant since many firefighters and police officers do not have the luxury to discuss or negotiate workplace issues.  This act will empower these public safety employees to negotiate fundamental issues with their employers such as hours, wages and workplace conditions. This bill, however, does not permit strikes by public safety officers nor does it provide for mandatory binding arbitration.

The Public Safety Employer-Employee Act is endorsed by the International Association of Fire Fighters, International Brotherhood of Police Officers, International Union of Police Organizations, National Association of Police Organizations and the Fraternal Order of Police.

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