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During National Police Week, Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) re-introduced the bipartisan Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act along with Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-08) to ensure labor rights to all public safety officers. Specifically, this legislation will allow public safety officers to form a labor union, collectively bargain for hours and wages, and provide resolution mechanisms for impasses during negotiations.

“As a former police officer who started a union in Duluth, Minnesota, I know how vital labor rights are for the brave men and women who put their lives on the line every day in service to our communities,” said Congressman Stauber. “These past couple of years have been especially difficult for our public safety officers, so it’s more important than ever before to ensure they have a voice in the workplace. That's why on this National Police Week, I am proud partner with twelve of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to strengthen the workplace rights of law enforcement officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel.”

“All workers, including police officers, firefighters and EMS workers, should be able to join a union and bargain for better wages and safer working conditions,” said Congressman Kildee. “I am proud to work with Republicans and Democrats to expand collective bargaining rights for public safety officers.”

National President of the Fraternal Order of Police Patrick Yoes made the following statement in support of this legislation, “The men and women in our nation’s police and fire departments put their lives on the line every day to protect our streets and neighborhoods and they have the right to be heard on workplace issues that affect them and their families. We applaud Congressmen Stauber and Kildee for introducing the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act. This bill is a top priority for the FOP, which would recognize the fundamental right of public safety officers to bargaining collectively.”

Bill Johnson, Executive Director of the National Association of Police Organizations, added, “Law enforcement officers across the country, who put their lives on the line each day to protect us all, are being denied the basic American rights of collective bargaining for fair compensation and safer working conditions. We know that public safety is best protected through effective partnerships between first responders on the front line and the agencies that employ them. The Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act will ensure that officers can meet with local officials to discuss how they do their jobs and how best to protect the public. We stand with Congressmen Stauber and Kildee in support of this important bill and thank them for their efforts on behalf of America’s law enforcement community.”

Edward A. Kelly, General President of the International Association of Fire Fighters, said, “Today, tens of thousands of fire fighters and EMS personnel nationwide lack a collective voice with their employer to advocate for themselves, their families, and the communities they took an oath to protect. When fire fighters are at the table, we use our voice to speak out for health and safety improvements that save lives. The IAFF proudly endorses the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2023. We urge Congress to pass this common sense, bipartisan legislation and protect the basic labor rights of American workers. If you are willing to risk your life for others, you deserve a seat at the negotiating table.”

The following bipartisan group of Representatives are original co-sponsors of the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act:

Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Chris Smith (R-NJ), Mike Bost (R-IL), Kathy Manning (D-NC), Gabe Vasquez (D-NM), Tom Kean (R-NJ), Don Bacon (R-NE), Angie Craig (D-MN), Dean Phillips (D-MN), Mike Levin (D-CA), and Susie Lee (D-NV).

Full text of the bill can be found here.

Original source can be found here