Unions

[Boss Rob Canada]

There is a movement afoot to replace our current union with the Teamsters. I am wondering if anyone has any experience with the Teamsters Law Enforcement League. I am looking for feedback good or bad.

Thanks,

Rob

[Catman]

IMO, from what I've seen of the Teamsters, many of them are nothing short of thugs. There's plenty of police based unions out there, why the Teamsters. Do you really want to be represented my janitors and truck drivers?

[Boss Rob Canada]

Union

IMO, from what I've seen of the Teamsters, many of them are nothing short of thugs. There's plenty of police based unions out there, why the Teamsters. Do you really want to be represented my janitors and truck drivers?

Actually I am a Health and Safety rep with our current union. I am not involved with the people trying to bring in the Teamsters, just trying to educate myself. The first thought that went through my mind when I heard Teamsters was "organised crime" but I was trying to post my question in an unbiased manner lol.

Thanks
Rob

[stormz5192]

I am unaware of what type of unions are in Canada, but in the states, mostly FOP or PBA represent police and corrections. I have been in several unions and have found that they are very industry specific. A truck drivers union( IE Teamsters) cannot effectively negotiate a grievance for a police officer. LE union reps (meaning the head guys like the state president) are currently or were police officers or correction officers, so they know exactly what to do and what you are talking about.

I personally don't have a problem with the Teamsters ( Entire family consists of retired Teamsters), but I would not want them representing me as a Police Officer. I'll stick with the PBA.

[quebec zulu]

Union!!!! You are lucky to have a union, in the UK its a criminal offence to strike!!! or even talk about striking!!!
We are in a dispute with the goverment at the moment re-pay rise that they have not honoured, we are in the process of a court action to enable us to form a union, BUT i doubt it will happen the Goverment controlled court = they win every time.

[Resq14]

Most US law enforcement unions have "no strike" or "continuity of work" clauses...

[stormz5192]

After a little research, I have found that the only Police specific unions seem to be departmental ones, IE Vancouver. It is terrible that you do not have a national type or at least territory type union. From what I see, the only public employee type union is CUPE. I wish you well in your endevors. I thank god that we have strong police unions, at least in the Northeastern part of the States.

[Gene L]

We don't have police unions here. And I thank God for that.

They have them in "union states," as was said, mostly in the Northeast. I don't know about Chicago. Michigan (cities) I believe have them, from conversations with others.

I've belonged to non-police unions before. Can't say I really care for them. I belong now to the PBA and POAB, which are not unions, and highly recommend them both.

[stormz5192]

Actully, the PBA is touted as not being a union, but very much is. Negotiate contract, handle grievences, lobby politicians, etc. I am a very active PBA member, which is very strong in NJ. With Civil Service and the PBA/FOP, we are very well protected.

[Gene L]

The idea of negotiating a contract is foreign to me, and if the PBA does that, they are indeed a union.

[jebtcop]

There is a movement afoot to replace our current union with the Teamsters. I am wondering if anyone has any experience with the Teamsters Law Enforcement League. I am looking for feedback good or bad.

Thanks,

Rob

Metro Nashville just dumped them and went back to the FOP. The teamsters made big promises and didn't deliver on a thing. They were also "allegedly" involved with planting hidden cameras at an FOP youth camp. This was just the straw that broke the camel's back. Great bunch.

[Gene L]

I"d stay away from a union whose best known boss is supposedly buried in a baseball arena. Too many mob ties.

[Sabre]

Nevermind, I'll start a new thread so I don't hijack this one.

[Frank Booth]

Two generations ago, both sides of my family were working in the coal camps of southeastern KY and west central PA. After seeing how they lived and worked down there, all I can say is "Look For The Union Label" and "God bless John L. Lewis". Great documentary, if you can find it, is "Harlan County USA", made in the 70's. US Coke and Coal/US Steel sure didn't have a very good dental plan back then.

Another thing to consider: How many non-union places would be making the money they do today if it weren't for having to compete with other, union, shops for employees? I firmly believe that the presence of unions has benefitted a lot of people who work in non-union jobs and police departments as well.

Unions aren't perfect by any means, but I think they beat the alternative. They basically sent some greed our way instead of keeping it all in the front office. And they do make concessions. I believe GM has a two-tier system now. New workers are now making something like $14.00 instead of $30.00 to start. And having been in steel foundaries and watched guys test gas tanks in a water tank all day, I don't begrudge them their $14.00 plus bennies.

Actully, the PBA is touted as not being a union, but very much is. Negotiate contract, handle grievences, lobby politicians, etc. I am a very active PBA member, which is very strong in NJ. With Civil Service and the PBA/FOP, we are very well protected.

I'm not positive, but I think there's a law in MI that says police officers can't belong to a "labor union". Instead we have "associations". Not sure what the difference is.

Union!!!! You are lucky to have a union, in the UK its a criminal offence to strike!!! or even talk about striking!!!

"We shot them under Rule Three-Oh-Three!"

[CopnaEire]

We dont have a union, like the UK it is illegal for the Police force to be members of a union. However we do have a representive body ,while it is not perfect, it does work. About striking, it is illegal in Ireland. However we did have a serious dispute with pay in 1999. It wasn't being resolved so one day we all called in sick - Yes every single cop that was due for duty. It was called a blue flu day. They got the message and now we have our pay indexed linked to inflation. If inflation goes up our pay goes up. If inflation goes down our pay stays as it is. You just can't lose. Last year i earned close to €90,000 before tax. (not including my non taxable sub allowance)