More About Collective Bargaining (Union)...
Idaho Falls Police Demand Collective Bargaining Rights!
May 8, 2008
On May 8th numerous Idaho Falls Police Officer's attended the City Council Meeting demanding collective bargaining rights for the 2nd time!
97% of sworn Idaho Falls Police Officer's signed a petition demanding Collective Bargaining, a right already granted to Idaho Falls Firefighter's and Electrical 
Worker's.
Our letter to Mayor Fuhriman and
Idaho Falls City Council Members:
Dear Mayor Fuhriman and Council Members.
We have submitted a copy of a petition asking that this Council establish a policy granting collective bargaining for police officers of the Idaho Falls Police Department. The petition was signed by 97% of the sworn officers of the Idaho Falls Police 
department. These officers would be affected by a Collective Bargaining Contract if one existed.
We believe it is every American’s right to be able to negotiate Wages, Benefits and Working Conditions with their employer. Negotiation rights provide the opportunity for each party to mutually address respective issues and successfully achieve a written agreement. The parties can accomplish this with knowledge and mutual respect. The negotiation and agreement process helps build a more professional relationship between labor and management and helps sustain a quality police department.
We are asking for equal protection and the same rights you have provided to other departments within the city. Collective bargaining will give us an equal opportunity that is enjoyed by the Idaho Falls Firefighters and the City Electrical Workers.
In October of 2007, 92% of the Police Department voted to go union under the FOP flag. Since then we have met with you to explain our honorable intentions. We even put on a work shop to help you understand our philosophy and how we perceive the impact bargaining will have on the department. We left that work shop with the understanding that we would discuss with you and establish ground rules and a methodology before negotiating a contract. We were led to believe that the city was also going to propose what they would like to see if a collective bargaining contract ever existed between us. This never happened and obviously we are extremely disappointed.
In December of 2007 we received a letter from Mr. Dale Storer stating that you are not interested in allowing us to negotiate a contract. We were informed that you prefer the “status quo,” and advising us you are not interested in dealing with paid negotiators. This letter was an insult to us, the Idaho Falls Fraternal Order of Police. Frankly, we cannot understand why the city will not negotiate with us. We believe we have the right to bargain with you like professionals and be able to address those issues that impact our future.
The Police Officers of the Idaho Falls Police Department are among the best of the best. We love this department and intend on raising our families in this great community that we serve.
We ask that you reconsider the answer your Attorney gave us earlier and to do what is right and fair. If your answer stays the same, then you need to look each Officer that signed the petition straight in the eyes and explain to them why they are not afforded the same rights as others within the city.
I appreciate the opportunity to stand before you and present this petition. I also hope to someday come to you, upon mutual agreement, and sign a written contract that will benefit not just the officers affected but this great community.
Sincerely
The Idaho Falls Fraternal Order of Police
Lodge # 6
Idaho Falls Firefighter's Given The Right To Collectively Bargain.
Idaho Falls Power Electical Worker's Given The Right To Collectively Bargain.
Idaho Falls Police Officers DENIED The Right To Collectively Bargain!*
Why? Ask The Mayor & City Council Here. The Idaho Falls FOP Lodge #6 a non-profit labor organization which represents the interests of sworn Idaho Falls Police Officers. Presently we are a Non-Union labor organization. Since the inception of the lodge, the goal has always been to obtain a Collective Bargaining Agreement (also known as a CBA or Contract) with the City of Idaho Falls. A Collective Bargaining Unit has also been referred to as a “Union”.
The definition of a Collective Bargaining Agreement is a written agreement that is mutually determined by both parties, The City of Idaho Falls and the Idaho Falls FOP. The CBA sets out conditions of employment (such as wages, hours, benefits, etc.) and also creates a way to settle disputes arising during the term of the contract. CBA’s usually run for a definite period—one, two or three years.
The Idaho Falls FOP would like to dispel some concerns about the term “Union”. For a lot of people the word “Union” is synonymous with the terms “Strike” or “Blue Flu”. We want to ensure the City of Idaho Falls and it’s residents that the National Fraternal Order of Police nor the Idaho Falls FOP agree or condone in striking, blue flu’s or work slowdowns. It’s against our national constitution and unlike other union organization, we don’t allow it. After all, we work, live and play in Idaho Falls too and we are very much aware of what a negative impact these strategies would have on the city and it’s residents. The Idaho Falls FOP and local Idaho Falls Police Officer’s want a right to sit down at the table with the Mayor and City Council to collectively resolve issues. Benefits such as Light Duty (More Information) which allows a police officer to continue to work following an on or off-duty accident have been taken away from us in the past. The police was only reinstated recently in 2007, which is in our opinion because of a vote by 92% of local police officers to unionize.
City employee’s also experienced higher insurance deductible increases and in the recent years, a lowered cost of living increase. Our police officer’s are aware that medical insurance is a national problem, but during the 2008 Budget Proposal we were aware of several steps the city could have taken to lower those costs that the city chose not to pursue. We know the price of insurance is on the rise but we also know the City Council and Mayor are financially responsible to the taxpayer’s and responsible to their employee’s to pursue all options.
Other benefits and working conditions are only afforded to police officers based on the will of a few people, the Chief of Police, Mayor and City Council. The purpose of a CBA is to write up a contract with the city outlining the wage structure, benefits and working conditions for police officers including policies (light duty, internal investigation procedures, and others) currently in place protecting them and their families. The city currently has collective bargaining agreements with the Idaho Falls Firefighter’s and Idaho Falls Electrical Worker’s. All we are asking for is the same opportunity and equal protection under the law that is given to other divisions within the city.
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about our Collective Bargaining initiative. Please review our website and if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to Contact Us anytime.
If you believe in the local Police Officer’s who serve you, we encourage you to contact the Idaho Falls Mayor and City Council and let them know you support the equal right of Idaho Falls Police Officer’s to Collectively Bargain.
To learn more on how you can help or for City Council and Mayor contact information, Please Click Here.
Very Respectfully,
Members of the Idaho Falls FOP Lodge #6 * (In December of 2007, a letter from the City Attorney Dale Storer to IFFOP Attorney Curtis Smith advised that the City of Idaho Falls [the Idaho Falls City Council] refuses to adopt a collective bargaining agreement with city police officer's).