**EDITORS NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in this article are of authors and do nit necessarily reflect
the views and opinions of the staff at SConFire.com**
Union supporters try to hijack war funding bill for their own ends
SOUTH CAROLINA – As heinous a law as the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act is, the unbearable policy it would enact pales in comparison to the immoral tactics supporters are using to try to get it passed.
The law would require all states and cities to allow their police and firefighters to unionize or states could face punishment in the federal courts. The law ignores the fact that since this country was founded, states have had the right to set laws on labor relations involving public employees.
Currently, 16 states do not allow unions for police and 12 do not for firefighters. South Carolina, never a fertile ground for unions even in the private sector and even in their heyday, does not recognize collective bargaining rights for either group.
There is a big difference between unionizing public and private employees. When employees of corporations unionize, they generally bargain in opposition to the management of the companies with which they contract. But when public employees unionize, the unions then donate millions of dollars to the politicians who will sit on the other side of the table and set the contracts.
It makes the setting of wages and benefits for these firefighters and police officers a rigged game in which all the negotiators are on one side, and the taxpayers, left without a voice, are on the other.
It could also be the death knell for volunteer firefighting in this country. Nationally, 72 percent of firefighters are volunteers, but the International Association for Firefighters, the biggest firefighters’ union, vehemently opposes all volunteer firefighting and fines members who volunteer while off duty.
Study after study has shown that when public employees unionize, local and state budgets spiral out of control. That being said, states certainly have the right to allow unionization of police officers and firefighters if they choose.
But the federal government does not have the right to impose such a decision on the states that have outlawed it.
Perhaps sensing how much pushback this law could create, supporters in Congress have fallen back on one of their favorite tricks. They have attached the law to a bill intended to fund the efforts of our military in Afghanistan.
The same bill, a $60 billion piece of legislation, also has spending tucked into it for border security, an Education Jobs Fund, the expansion of military schools, emergency food assistance and dozens of other programs.
So, because we have a ridiculous legislative system in which dozens of unrelated items can be banded together and subjected to a single vote, legislators can’t oppose the massive federal imposition of unions in state and local government without being accused of refusing to support our soldiers in Afghanistan.
The dying unions want more members. The politicians want union contributions. Washington wants to impose its will on the states.
And as long as totally unrelated issues can be voted on in the same bill, the voters don’t stand a chance.
Also on SConFire…
- Shane Ray Name South Carolina Fire Academy Superintendent – August 26, 2011
- EMT Accused of Sexually Assaulting Female in Ambulance – January 12, 2012
- Explanation of Pension Debate – December 14, 2011
- New Fire Chief Hired From Longtime Summerville Family – October 20, 2011
who is the author of this article
Unknown… it was emailed to us with no information other than what you see above.
Grant Mishoe, Editor-in-Chief
SConFire.com
I find this article amusing in that the author, whom ever it may be, is out of touch. The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) is in no way trying to shut down the volunteer departments. And yes, at one time they did fine members or drop them from membership if they volunteered, but after some study relized that was/is a bad dicision. Further more, the IAFF is more geared toward safety issues, both in response and operations on fire scenes as well as daily duties on shift. The issue of increasing wages is and always has been in response to having members being able to care for themselves and family for insurance benefits and in some states, retirement.
I concur that the 14th Amendment gaurantees “States Rights” and the Federal Government should not have a say in how a state runs itself. If you truly have read the bill, the stipulation is tied to federal funding from the government. Quit a marked difference. Currently, the State of South Carolina does not have laws, standards or policies on what a Fire Fighter is!! The Fire Chief is tasked with that power. The only federal law that protects fire fighters, let alone EMS and Police is OSHA. Some feel its a bad law, others don’t. If it is going to make my profession, Fire Fighter, have the ability to make our job saver for the citizens and the Fire Fighters, I’m In!
I was a union firefighter in a large city and a volunteer in a small, rural town at the same time. My union never questioned it. As a matter of fact many of my Brothers did the same. By the way, I know lot’s of union firefighters and not one of them got rich from that occupation.
Corporate America costs Americans tons of money. Where do you think the money that pays for the salaries of multi millionaires like Rush Limbaugh, Alex Rodriguez, Lebron James and all of the greedy CEO’s etc.? In order to pay these financial fat cats, we all have to pay more for everything that we buy.
Don’t you think that it would be a good idea to not accept anonymous submissions? Someone without the character to use his own name really shouldn’t be one of us.
The fire service would be years behind in tech. and safety if not for the IAFF.
Plus the Tax payers do have a voice, if WE (we pay tax also) are not happy with our political reps we vote them out. I second what has been comented about this article.
Member in good standing Local 157.
Perhaps agreement may be established with your statement, “as long as totally unrelated issues can be voted on in the same bill, the voters don’t have a chance.” Be that as it may, I find your opinions, views, and facts concerning unionized police & firefighters totally twisted and embellished with bits and pieces of political BS. Long live the IAFF !