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More About Collective Bargaining (Union)...
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).
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