Chuck Canterbury, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police, hailed today's passage of H.R. 980, the "Public Employee-Employer Cooperation Act," on a 314-97 vote in the U.S. House of Representatives.

"The FOP and our friends at the International Association of Fire Fighters have been working to pass this legislation for more than a decade," Canterbury said. "Because of our joint efforts and our bipartisan approach, we scored a tremendous victory this afternoon. Together, we'll work to get it through the Senate and then onto the President's desk."

The legislation, introduced jointly by Representatives Dale Kildee (D-MI)and John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-TN), would recognize the right of public safety employees to bargain collectively over hours, wages, and working conditions. The legislation currently has two hundred and seventy-eight (278) cosponsors, more than a majority of the House. The bill was favorably reported by the Committee Education and Labor in June on a 42-1 vote.

"As law enforcement officers, we take our oath and commitment to protect and serve very seriously," Canterbury said. "Public safety occupations are unique, and their labor relations need to reflect that. Ours is not the traditional labor-management relationship. In our line of work, the bottom line is the safety of the public and of the officer."

The legislation now goes to the Senate for further consideration.

The Fraternal Order of Police is the largest law enforcement labor organization in the United States, with more than 325,000 members.

     On behalf of the members of the North Carolina Fraternal Order of Police, and all North Carolina public safety employees, I would like to publicly acknowledge and personally thank the United States Representatives from North Carolina who cast their affirmative vote for this important legislation. Eight of North Carolina's thirteen U.S. Representatives supported the North Carolina Fraternal Order of Police's efforts and position on H.R. 980.

I urge all of our members to contact these eight Representatives to thank them for their support.

     The eight U.S. Representatives who supported the North Carolina Fraternal Order of Police's position and voted for the passage of H.R. 980 are:

G.K. Butterfield, District 1.

Bob Etheridge, District 2.

Walter Jones, Jr., District 3.

David Price, District 4.

Mike McIntyre, District 7.

Heath Shuler, District 11.

Melvin Watt, District 12.

Brad Miller, District 13.

     It is also important that we publicly recognize and remember those who did not support our efforts on H.R. 980.  

     The following U.S. Representatives did not support us:

Virginia Foxx, District 5.

Howard Coble, District 6.

Robin Hayes, District 8.

Sue Myrick, District 9.

Patrick McHenry, District 10.

Fraternally,

Terry Mangum

Vice President and Legislative Chairman

North Carolina State Lodge