Date: 2007-07-17
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I thank the gentleman very much for yielding. I want to thank Mr. KILDEE for his authorship of this legislation for over. I believe. 12" years now in support of this legislation. and Mr. DUNCAN. his cosponsor. for the same years. to try and provide for the organization of our public safety officers around the country. I want to thank Mr. KELLER for his work on the subcommittee and Mr. ANDREWS for shepherding this bill through the committee. With the 280 cosponsors of this legislation. which obviously represents very strong bipartisan support. this legislation clearly demonstrates that this Congress is committed to protecting the rights and the livelihoods of our first responders. and this legislation stands in tribute to these dedicated men and women. I am proud that the Education and Labor Committee was able to pass H.R. 980 out of the committee almost unanimously by a vote of 421. Firefighters. police officers. correction officers and emergency meaical technicians risk their lives each and every day to protect our lives and this country. H.R. 980 will ensure that all public safety officers have axight to sit down with their employers and bargain over wages and working conditions. While States and cities and towns have historically managed their own labor - relations. approximately 28 States do not fully protect the collective bargaining rights of public safety employees. That is why this legislation is so necessary. This legislation would respect those States that already provide for collective bargaining rights for public safety employees. but it would extend those rights in all other States. The bill would provide basiQ labor protections for State and local public safety workers. including the right to join a union. the right to have their union recognized by their employer. the right to bargain collectively. over hours. wages. terms and conditions of employment. a mediation or arbitration process for resolving the impasse in negotiations. and enforcement through the courts. H:R. 980 will give public safety officers a voice in issues like safety on the job and effective delivery of services. It will improve communications and cooperation between rankandfile public safety employees and their employers. ensuring a more cohesive and coordinated operation. E] 1100 Thats the crux of this legislation. This gives the rights of these negotiations. the rights of these discussions. the rights to have a union. to the very same people that we trust every day to protect our .lives. to protect our communities. to protect our country. both before and after a terrorist attack. before and after a criminal act. These are the people that we trust to do this. This legislation. under the authorship of Mr. KILDEE and Mr. DUNCAN. also suggests that we trust them to have a responsible say in their workplace conditions. in how they carry out their job. to make suggestions. to negotiate with their employers. to more effectively carry out their duties. I think it is a long time coming. I think this legislation apd its very broad cosponsorship indicate this could have been done much sooner. but it is going to be done today. It is going to pass the House today. I believe it will pass with large bipartisan support. I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation. I also want to say that the fact that this legislation is here today. although 12 *years late. is maybe a hallmark of