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Visitor Comments Comments Feed for This Bill

James Holtz

October 4, 2007, 11:14am (report abuse)

I am glad this bill looks like it will become law. Our police and firemen need a voice when it comes to their safety and well-being. This is the least we can do for the people who protect us on a daily basis.

Brian Tanner

October 4, 2007, 10:28pm (report abuse)

I can only hope that this bill becomes law. It will help many firefighters and police officers nationwide who currently do not have a voice. And alot of times the voice that they are speaking with is one of which has great concerns for the safety of the citizens that they so rightfully serve.

Lou

November 13, 2007, 10:58am (report abuse)

So what happened to the 10th amendment...the one that prohibits the federal government from interferring in the affairs of the States?

David Bowie, New Hampshire

May 12, 2008, 11:15am (report abuse)

This bill will mandate joining a union. Giving the ability to forcibly charging a fee to line the pockets of Union Bosses. They will call these fees union dues.

Unions once had a purpose when individuals could not speak out and had nowhere to turn for help, but now, with the internet, that has changed. If our police or firemen can't find the resources on the internet to lodge complaints, perhaps they should get a different job.

This is just one more example of our elected officials allowing legalized corruption to prosper.

Notice carefully witch ones vote for this bill, consider that vote next time they need "YOU" to vote for them to remain in office.

To our elected officials,

Be advised, we are watching you. Don't think these things will go unnoticed.

Scott Wiseman

May 14, 2008, 9:20am (report abuse)

The bill will pass and taxes maybe raised but atleast our protectors of the night will be taken care of for putting their lifes on the line. This is great news and I'm all for it, this should have been done years ago.

Brian

May 14, 2008, 3:17pm (report abuse)

This bill will not force anyone to join a union. The individual by-laws of the local associations will dictate who can join. Joining the IAFF (International Association of Firefighters) unlike other organized labor groups is 100% optional. Additionally any firefighter who is not a member of the local union will receive the same pay and benefits as those who are.

This law will allow for professional agency members who wish to organize a union the ability to collectively bargain over pay, benefits, and safety issues. A right that is afforded most professions in most states.

This is law that has been introduced every session sense the 104th and will eventually pass. The legislation will only strengthen our communities in empowering our front line emergency responders a voices in their agencies.

Ed

May 16, 2008, 11:08am (report abuse)

Brian is absolutely correct. Individuals like David Bowie either have not read the bill or just enjoy distorting the facts for their own perverted reasons. I know in the south, firefighters and police officers are routinely placed in dangerous situations with substandard equipment and training and then told to find another job when they raise issue. Well we do not wish to find another job somewhere else. Many of us want to continue to work in the communities where we grew up. We took these jobs and want a voice because we care about the people that we protect. Firefighters and Police officers are routinely fired for speaking out on the lack of training, substandard equipment, and unsafe working conditions. It is time that Congress gave them the protection and voice that they deserve.

Sean

June 3, 2008, 8:30pm (report abuse)

I work for a Sheriff's Dept. in Wyoming where we are forbidden by law to unionize. I recently moved from California where I was a cop and it was vastly different. We need this and the National Peace Officer Bill of Rights

michael hobbs

July 13, 2008, 6:15pm (report abuse)

we need this in sc because when firefighters get hurt here you get fired in 12 weeks.and that is not wright

JIM WOODS

September 21, 2008, 10:46pm (report abuse)

THERE ARE MANY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES THAT DO NOT PROVIDE FOR THEIR OFFICERS, ESPECIALLY SMALL DEPARTMENTS. INADEQUATE HEATHCARE OR RETIREMENT TO NAME SOME OF THE INEQUITIES. THIS BILL PROVIDES A MECHANISM TO MAKE THIER POSITIONS SAFE AND SECURE, SO THEY CAN CONCENTRATE ON DOING THE JOB FOR US

Tom Collins

November 26, 2008, 10:35pm (report abuse)

This bill will soon become law in early 2009 under the Obama admin. The officers and firemen in the south will soon have the rights that their Brothers and Sisters have up north.

Bob Corker (R) of TN may have a heart attack when this bill passes and he can not do ANYTHING from stopping this bill from becoming law. Bob HATES unions. Bob hates the working class, except for the illegal mexicans he hired for his construction firm. Bob Corker went 4 years of giving him a BIG pay raise as Mayor of Chattanooga but hated the firemen and police officers so bad he gave them nothing but higher insurance rates.

Good ridence BOB the Builder of Chattanooga. Go cry in a corner. From your friends at the CPD & CFD.

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