Whoever said, “A few bad apples can bring the whole place down” knew what they were talking about. Here’s one story that certainly reinforces the that notion. According to The Boston Globe, 20 Massachuetts State Troopers are being investigated for theft of overtime pay. Reporters Mark Arsenault, Travis Andersen, and Shelley Murphy write: “In another black […]
Archive for October, 2016
San Antonio POA Pres makes the case
Watch Mike Helle – it’s a polished television appearance Please be patient. You have to listen to the city manager (very lame) before Mike takes the “mic.” Watch a masterful interview with Mike Helle, president of the San Antonio POA, on Texas Public Television as he debates the city manager about the proposals to cut […]
City goes after cops’ health care
Union vows to fight proposal in every arena The lead negotiator for the city of San Antonio said it could force the city’s police officers and firefighters to sign up for healthcare plans currently used by civilian employees, if a new collective bargaining agreement is not in place by October 1. Ron DeLord who is […]
Chief files suit against police association over unfair labor practices?
Rockford, Illinois Police Chief Chet Epperson has filed an unfair labor practice charge against the police union. This was a response to the union filing a complaint against Epperson concerning how he handled a police call back in October 2013. Epperson’s attorney says the union didn’t follow the grievance procedure under their collective bargaining agreement. […]
State police union backs compassionate use
When it comes to medical marijuana and issues involving decriminalization, many police organizations seem to be inclined to stick with the traditional “war on drugs” script. But in New York, despite claims that “law enforcement” is nervous about the language of the Compassionate Care Act, the state troopers association leadership is keeping a level head. […]
Police union plan to rebuild Department
Training is suffering, detectives take work home, more officers work alone Despite protests against looming pay and benefit cuts, Phoenix’s police union has unveiled a ballot initiative that would leave the cuts in place and require the city to more quickly rebuild its shrinking police force. But the union’s proposal includes a provision that could […]
Best blogging apps
Kit Eaton, the personal tech columnist for The New York Times, has some apps that will make it easier for you to blog from your iPhone, iPad or Droid. This is an easy way to post articles on your association’s website or Facebook page. If you work on your association’s communications effort, you will find […]
People suffer in “right-to-work states
Teamsters president Jim Hoffa makes the case that people in right-to-work states that deny collective bargaining rights to public and private sector workers, have lower pay, a tough time getting health insurance and often lack a safe workplace. Hoffa writes: “Despite what corporate cronies and groups like ALEC claim, so-called right-to-work doesn’t create an environment […]
“We’re with ya fellas!”
In Seattle, a group of police officers have sued the federal government, alleging that the terms of a Department of Justice imposed consent decree is unconstitutional. In Albuquerque, New Mexico, officers are also facing federal oversight. As a result the Albuquerque Police Officers Association (identified incorrectly as the Albuquerque police union in the article) has […]
Balancing the budget on the backs of public employees
A state judge will decide whether New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie can save his ailing budget by simply taking $2.4 billion meant for public-workers’ pensions. Superior Court Judge Mary Jacobson on Thursday agreed to hear a lawsuit brought by State Police troopers, who are decrying Christie’s proposal to reduce payments as illegal. Christie’s policies of […]
Contract talks headed to arbitration
An independent fact-finder has found in favor of the city of Reno, Nevada in its year-long battle over a new labor contract with the police association. The fact-finder’s decision, however, is not binding, prompting the Reno Police Protective Association’s chief negotiator to promise to take the dispute to binding arbitration. The RPPA’s labor contract expired […]
Taking their case straight to the voters
Despite protests against looming pay and benefit cuts, the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association has unveiled a ballot initiative that would leave the cuts in place and require the city to more quickly rebuild its shrinking police force. But the union’s proposal includes a provision that could shield officers from any future compensation cuts taken by […]
Bad guy’s playbook: PubSecAlliance Featured Video
Part of being an effective leader of an effective organization is staying up on what the opposition’s up to and the strategies they employ. Every once in a while someone “defects” for the lack of a better term and leaves the union busting forces to provide the forces of organized labor with some valuable insight. […]
I’m no “boss” and the association is not a union!
Here’s how successful the union busters have been in terms of winning hearts and minds – all they have to do is say the word “union” and pretty much everyone ducks for cover. In Costa Mesa, California, the head of the Costa Mesa Police Officers Association recently wrote an opinion piece in the local paper […]
Police association flags mayor on hiring
The Seattle Police Management Association, which represents captains and lieutenants, is pushing back against city legislation enacted earlier this year that allows assistant chiefs to be hired from outside the department’s ranks. SPMA filed an unfair labor practice complaint against the city with the state’s Public Employment Relations Commission on May 7. Mayor Ed Murray […]
See what he did there?
Richard Berman is the executive director of the Center for Union Facts, which operates EmployeeRightsAct.com. He’s an attack dog for the wealthy business owners and other anti-union forces. Berman’s just one of thousands of paid hacks that make their living by attacking anything that gives the working man a leg up- especially collective bargaining. Just […]
They want your check BACK!
Retired cops, firefighters and City Hall employees in Hollywood, Florida sometimes get an extra payday known as the 13th check. It comes each year the pension funds have robust earnings and has ranged from $200 to more than $26,000. But the city’s three retirement plans are underfunded to the tune of $436 million, a liability […]
Court ruling endangers cops
Steve James, president of the Long Beach Police Officers Association was quick to respond to the disastrous decision handed down from the California Supreme Court recently that the release of names of officers involved in critical incidents should be permitted. “It is unfortunate that the majority of the Court does not recognize the safety concerns […]
AZ police associations seek changes on search policy
Several high-profile law-enforcement associations in Arizona want police to be able to conduct searches without a warrant on convicted criminals who are on probation or parole. The proposed legislation, which is being spearheaded by the Arizona Sheriffs Association, would allow any member of law enforcement to search a probationer’s or parolee’s vehicle, home or person […]
Anatomy of a defeat
A recent California State Supreme Court ruling will force law enforcement agencies in that state to release the names of officers involved in on-duty shooting incidents. The Long Beach Police Officers Association filed a lawsuit against the city over the matter and the California Supreme Court ruled in favor of the city. The Los Angeles […]
Mayor accepts defeat – will accept F.O.P. offer
After an arbitrator awarded Tulsa police officers raises, Mayor Dewey Bartlett announced he was going to hold a special election to get the pay increases killed. But thanks to some hard work and tough negotiating by the Fraternal Order of Police, the special election has been called off. But now some of the cops that […]
Here’s what we’re up against
One of the things we try and do here is keep our members posted about how the forces stacked against them are winning hearts and minds with low-information voters by producing anti-union propaganda like this YouTube video. The important thing for leaders to keep in mind is what can be done in terms of creating […]
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