Greetings,

The Senate could begin voting as early as next Tuesday on the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2007 (S. 2123/H.R. 980). This important piece of legislation would extend collective bargaining rights to firefighers, police officers, and emergency medical personnel - the men and women of our country who protect our safety every day. The bill would allow public safety workers to sit down and talk with their employers about critical workplace issues that directly affect public safety.

The House of Representatives has already recognized a need for this when they overwhelmingly passed their version of the bill last year. However, the Bush Administration has threatened to veto the bill, and there are threats of amendments that would weaken or severely change the bill.

We need your help! Please click the below link to learn more and to take action by contacting your Senators and asking for their support of this much needed piece of legislation.

Subject: Support the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2007

Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],

I am writing to ask you to vote for S. 2123/H.R. 980, the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act, and to oppose any amendments which would weaken or significantly change the bill so as to derail it. This important legislation would guarantee collective bargaining rights for some of America's finest - the men and women dedicated to protecting public safety. The bill passed the House overwhelmingly with a vote of 314-97 and with much bipartisan support.

Public safety employees such as firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical personnel risk their lives every day to protect the public. They deserve the same right to collective bargaining and the ability to talk to employers about workplace issues that the federal government already grants to most employees.

As a result, the protection that these employees provide for the public would also improve. Collective bargaining has produced measurable staffing, training, equipment, and health and safety improvements throughout fire departments and law enforcement agencies, and it has improved local emergency response capabilities.

The bill would give states maximum flexibility to craft their own laws giving public safety officers the ability to sit down and talk with their employers. Public agencies would not be required to agree to anything nor would a third party be empowered to compel agencies to do anything that has not been explicitly agreed to.

The bill would also protect right-to-work laws. Public safety and the right-to-work can and do co-exist. Examples of this can be seen in Florida, Oklahoma, and Idaho. Public safety officers would not be allowed to strike.

Public safety employees deserve a voice on the job. It is the least we can do for those who do so much for all of us on a daily basis. Please pass this important legislation without any significant changes. Please vote YES on S. 2123/H.R. 980, the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]