| Washington, D.C.-Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) announced that the Public Safety Employer-Employee Act recently acquired 218 cosponsors. This bill now enjoys the support of the majority of Congress, which will likely expedite its passage. This legislation will enable firefighters and police officers to discuss and negotiate workplace issues with their employers. Representative Bob Ney (R-OH) joins Congressman Kildee as a principal sponsor of this legislation.
“I am delighted that this bill has received overwhelming bipartisan support,” said Kildee. “I hope that this display of support will encourage the House to move quickly to provide firefighters and police officers with the collective bargaining rights they deserve.”
The Public Safety Employer-Employee Act of 2001 requires that each state 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. States that already have collective bargaining laws, such as Michigan, would be exempt from the federal statute. In addition, the bill does not permit strikes by public safety officers nor does it provide for mandatory binding arbitration.
“We should not forget that firefighters and police officers risk their lives everyday to protect our lives,” said Kildee. “Without collective bargaining, these workers do not have an opportunity to influence the decisions that affect their lives and livelihoods.”
This legislation will allow firefighters and law enforcement officers to enjoy the same collective bargaining privileges that many employees take for granted. Fire fighters and police officers do not have the luxury of engaging in strikes or slowdowns because they are dedicated to protecting the public’s safety. This act will empower public safe employees to negotiate fundamental issues with their employers such as hours, wages and workplace conditions.
This bill is strongly supported 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. | 
![[News from Congressman Dale Kildee]](letterhead.gif)