S 2123 ISCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To provide collective bargaining rights for public safety officers employed by States or their political subdivisions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

October 1, 2007

Mr. GREGG (for himself, Mr. KENNEDY, Mr. COLEMAN, Mr. DODD, Ms. COLLINS, Mr. HARKIN, Mr. DOMENICI, Ms. MIKULSKI, Mr. MARTINEZ, Mrs. MURRAY, Mr. SMITH, Mrs. CLINTON, Ms. SNOWE, Mr. OBAMA, Mr. SPECTER, Mr. SANDERS, Mr. BROWN, Mr. STEVENS, Mr. LIEBERMAN, Mr. SUNUNU, and Mr. PRYOR) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and PensionsCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To provide collective bargaining rights for public safety officers employed by States or their political subdivisions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2007'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. DECLARATION OF PURPOSE AND POLICY.

The Congress declares that the following is the policy of the United States:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) Labor-management relationships and partnerships are based on trust, mutual respect, open communication, bilateral consensual problem solving, and shared accountability. Labor-management cooperation fully utilizes the strengths of both parties to best serve the interests of the public, operating as a team, to carry out the public safety mission in a quality work environment. In many public safety agencies it is the union that provides the institutional stability as elected leaders and appointees come and go.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) State and local public safety officers play an essential role in the efforts of the United States to detect, prevent, and respond to terrorist attacks, and to respond to natural disasters, hazardous materials, and other mass casualty incidents. State and local public safety officers, as first responders, are a component of our Nation's National Incident Management System, developed by the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate response to and recovery from terrorism, major natural disasters, and other major emergencies. Public safety employer-employee cooperation is essential in meeting these needs and is, therefore, in the National interest.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) The Federal Government needs to encourage conciliation, mediation, and voluntary arbitration to aid and encourage employers and the representatives of their employees to reach and maintain agreements concerning rates of pay, hours, and working conditions, and to make all reasonable efforts through negotiations to settle their differences by mutual agreement reached through collective bargaining or by such methods as may be provided for in any applicable agreement for the settlement of disputes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) The absence of adequate cooperation between public safety employers and employees has implications for the security of employees and can affect interstate and intrastate commerce. The lack of such labor-management cooperation can detrimentally impact the upgrading of police and fire services of local communities, the health and well-being of public safety officers, and the morale of the fire and police departments. Additionally, these factors could have significant commercial repercussions. Moreover, providing minimal standards for collective bargaining negotiations in the public safety sector can prevent industrial strife between labor and management that interferes with the normal flow of commerce.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) AUTHORITY- The term `Authority' means the Federal Labor Relations Authority.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PERSONNEL- The term `emergency medical services personnel' means an individual who provides out-of-hospital emergency medical care, including an emergency medical technician, paramedic, or first responder.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) EMPLOYER; PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCY- The terms `employer' and `public safety agency' mean any State, or political subdivision of a State, that employs public safety officers.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) FIREFIGHTER- The term `firefighter' has the meaning given the term `employee engaged in fire protection activities' in section 3(y) of the Fair Labor Standards Act (29 U.S.C. 203(y)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) LABOR ORGANIZATION- The term `labor organization' means an organization composed in whole or in part of employees, in which employees participate, and which represents such employees before public safety agencies concerning grievances, conditions of employment, and related matters.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER- The term `law enforcement officer' has the meaning given such term in section 1204 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796b).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEE- The term `management employee' has the meaning given such term under applicable State law in effect on the date of enactment of this Act. If no such State law is in effect, the term means an individual employed by a public safety employer in a position that requires or authorizes the individual to formulate, determine, or influence the policies of the employer.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) PERSON- The term `person' means an individual or a labor organization.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER- The term `public safety officer'--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) means an employee of a public safety agency who is a law enforcement officer, a firefighter, or an emergency medical services personnel;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) includes an individual who is temporarily transferred to a supervisory or management position; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) does not include a permanent supervisory or management employee.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(10) STATE- The term `State' means each of the several States of the United States, the District of Columbia, and any territory or possession of the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(11) SUBSTANTIALLY PROVIDES- The term `substantially provides' means compliance with the essential requirements of this Act, specifically, the right to form and join a labor organization, the right to bargain over wages, hours, and conditions of employment, the right to sign an enforceable contract, and availability of some form of mechanism to break an impasse, such as arbitration, mediation, or fact-finding.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(12) SUPERVISORY EMPLOYEE- The term `supervisory employee' has the meaning given such term under applicable State law in effect on the date of enactment of this Act. If no such State law is in effect, the term means an individual, employed by a public safety employer, who--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) has the authority in the interest of the employer to hire, direct, assign, promote, reward, transfer, furlough, lay off, recall, suspend, discipline, or remove public safety officers, to adjust their grievances, or to effectively recommend such action, if the exercise of the authority is not merely routine or clerical in nature but requires the consistent exercise of independent judgment; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) devotes a majority of time at work exercising such authority.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 4. DETERMINATION OF RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES.

(a) Determination-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Authority shall make a determination as to whether a State substantially provides for the rights and responsibilities described in subsection (b). In making such determinations, the Authority shall consider and give weight, to the maximum extent practicable, to the opinion of affected parties.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) SUBSEQUENT DETERMINATIONS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- A determination made pursuant to paragraph (1) shall remain in effect unless and until the Authority issues a subsequent determination, in accordance with the procedures set forth in subparagraph (B).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) PROCEDURES FOR SUBSEQUENT DETERMINATIONS- Upon establishing that a material change in State law or its interpretation has occurred, an employer or a labor organization may submit a written request for a subsequent determination. If satisfied that a material change in State law or its interpretation has occurred, the Authority shall issue a subsequent determination not later than 30 days after receipt of such request.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) JUDICIAL REVIEW- Any person or employer aggrieved by a determination of the Authority under this section may, during the 60-day period beginning on the date on which the determination was made, petition any United States Court of Appeals in the circuit in which the person or employer resides or transacts business or in the District of Columbia circuit, for judicial review. In any judicial review of a determination by the Authority, the procedures contained in subsections (c) and (d) of section 7123 of title 5, United States Code, shall be followed.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Rights and Responsibilities- In making a determination described in subsection (a), the Authority shall consider whether State law provides rights and responsibilities comparable to or greater than the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) Granting public safety officers the right to form and join a labor organization, which may exclude management employees and supervisory employees, that is, or seeks to be, recognized as the exclusive bargaining representative of such employees.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) Requiring public safety employers to recognize the employees' labor organization (freely chosen by a majority of the employees), to agree to bargain with the labor organization, and to commit any agreements to writing in a contract or memorandum of understanding.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) Permitting bargaining over hours, wages, and terms and conditions of employment.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) Making available an interest impasse resolution mechanism, such as fact-finding, mediation, arbitration, or comparable procedures.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) Requiring enforcement through State courts of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) all rights, responsibilities, and protections provided by State law and enumerated in this section; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) any written contract or memorandum of understanding.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Failure To Meet Requirements-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- If the Authority determines, acting pursuant to its authority under subsection (a), that a State does not substantially provide for the rights and responsibilities described in subsection (b), such State shall be subject to the regulations and procedures described in section 5.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) EFFECTIVE DATE- Paragraph (1) shall take effect on the date that is 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 5. ROLE OF FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY.

(a) In General- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Authority shall issue regulations in accordance with the rights and responsibilities described in section 4(b) establishing collective bargaining procedures for employers and public safety officers in States which the Authority has determined, acting pursuant to section 4(a), do not substantially provide for such rights and responsibilities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Role of the Federal Labor Relations Authority- The Authority, to the extent provided in this Act and in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Authority, shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) determine the appropriateness of units for labor organization representation;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) supervise or conduct elections to determine whether a labor organization has been selected as an exclusive representative by a voting majority of the employees in an appropriate unit;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) resolve issues relating to the duty to bargain in good faith;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) conduct hearings and resolve complaints of unfair labor practices;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) resolve exceptions to the awards of arbitrators;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) protect the right of each employee to form, join, or assist any labor organization, or to refrain from any such activity, freely and without fear of penalty or reprisal, and protect each employee in the exercise of such right; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) take such other actions as are necessary and appropriate to effectively administer this Act, including issuing subpoenas requiring the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of documentary or other evidence from any place in the United States, and administering oaths, taking or ordering the taking of depositions, ordering responses to written interrogatories, and receiving and examining witnesses.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Enforcement-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) AUTHORITY TO PETITION COURT- The Authority may petition any United States Court of Appeals with jurisdiction over the parties, or the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, to enforce any final orders under this section, and for appropriate temporary relief or a restraining order. Any petition under this section shall be conducted in accordance with subsections (c) and (d) of section 7123 of title 5, United States Code.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) PRIVATE RIGHT OF ACTION- Unless the Authority has filed a petition for enforcement as provided in paragraph (1), any party has the right to file suit in a State court of competent jurisdiction to enforce compliance with the regulations issued by the Authority pursuant to subsection (b), and to enforce compliance with any order issued by the Authority pursuant to this section. The right provided by this subsection to bring a suit to enforce compliance with any order issued by the Authority pursuant to this section shall terminate upon the filing of a petition seeking the same relief by the Authority.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 6. STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS PROHIBITED.

(a) Prohibition- An employer, public safety officer, or labor organization may not engage in a lockout, sickout, work slowdown, strike, or any other action that will measurably disrupt the delivery of emergency services and is designed to compel an employer, public safety officer, or labor organization to agree to the terms of a proposed contract.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Mandatory Terms and Conditions- It shall not be a violation of subsection (a) for a public safety officer or labor organization to refuse to carry out services that are not required under the mandatory terms and conditions of employment applicable to the public safety officer or labor organization.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 7. EXISTING COLLECTIVE BARGAINING UNITS AND AGREEMENTS.

A certification, recognition, election-held, collective bargaining agreement or memorandum of understanding which has been issued, approved, or ratified by any public employee relations board or commission or by any State or political subdivision or its agents (management officials) and is in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act shall not be invalidated by the enactment of this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 8. CONSTRUCTION AND COMPLIANCE.

(a) Construction- Nothing in this Act shall be construed--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) to preempt or limit the remedies, rights, and procedures of any law of any State or political subdivision of any State or jurisdiction that provides greater or comparable rights and responsibilities than the rights and responsibilities described in section 4(b);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) to prevent a State from enforcing a right-to-work law that prohibits employers and labor organizations from negotiating provisions in a labor agreement that require union membership or payment of union fees as a condition of employment;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) to preempt or limit any State law in effect on the date of enactment of this Act that provides for the rights and responsibilities described in section 4(b) solely because such State law permits an employee to appear on the employee's own behalf with respect to the employee's employment relations with the public safety agency involved;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) to preempt or limit any State law in effect on the date of enactment of this Act that provides for the rights and responsibilities described in section 4(b) solely because such State law excludes from its coverage employees of a State militia or national guard;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) to permit parties in States subject to the regulations and procedures described in section 5 to negotiate provisions that would prohibit an employee from engaging in part-time employment or volunteer activities during off-duty hours;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) to prohibit a State from exempting from coverage under this Act a political subdivision of the State that has a population of less than 5,000 or that employs less than 25 full-time employees; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) to preempt or limit the laws or ordinances of any State or political subdivision of a State that provide for the rights and responsibilities described in section 4(b) solely because such law does not require bargaining with respect to pension, retirement, or health benefits.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





For purposes of paragraph (6), the term `employee' includes each and every individual employed by the political subdivision except any individual elected by popular vote or appointed to serve on a board or commission.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Compliance-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) ACTIONS OF STATES- Nothing in this Act or the regulations promulgated under this Act shall be construed to require a State to rescind or preempt the laws or ordinances of any of its political subdivisions if such laws provide rights and responsibilities for public safety officers that are comparable to or greater than the rights and responsibilities described in section 4(b).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) ACTIONS OF THE AUTHORITY- Nothing in this Act or the regulations promulgated under this Act shall be construed to preempt--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the laws or ordinances of any State or political subdivision of a State, if such laws provide collective bargaining rights for public safety officers that are comparable to or greater than the rights enumerated in section 4(b);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the laws or ordinance of any State or political subdivision of a State that provide for the rights and responsibilities described in section 4(b) with respect to certain categories of public safety officers covered by this Act solely because such rights and responsibilities have not been extended to other categories of public safety officers covered by this Act; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the laws or ordinances of any State or political subdivision of a State that provides for the rights and responsibilities described in section 4(b), solely because such laws or ordinances provide that a contract or memorandum of understanding between a public safety employer and a labor organization must be presented to a legislative body as part of the process for approving such contract or memorandum of understanding.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) LIMITED ENFORCEMENT POWER- In the case of a law described in paragraph (2)(B), the Authority shall only exercise the powers provided in section 5 with respect to those categories of public safety officers who have not been afforded the rights and responsibilities described in section 4(b).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) EXCLUSIVE ENFORCEMENT PROVISION- Notwithstanding any other provision of the Act, and in the absence of a waiver of a State's sovereign immunity, the Authority shall have the exclusive power to enforce the provisions of this Act with respect to employees of a State or political subdivision of a State.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink