Supermajority of Senators Vote to Consider Cooperation Act

May 13, 2008 – In a remarkable show of bipartisan support for the IAFF and its members, 69 senators voted May 13 to consider H.R. 980, the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act. The 69-29 vote on the motion to proceed permits the Senate to debate and amend the bill.

“Today, Senators from both parties stood up in support of America’s fire fighters, and stood up in support of our right to collectively bargain,” says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. “This vote is truly a testament to the strength of our union and the respect its members garner on Capitol Hill.”

Eighteen Republicans joined all 51 Democrats to vote in favor of the IAFF motion, marking the beginning of a week-long debate on the bill.

“Although we won this first vote handily, this is only the first of many steps we must take before the Cooperation Act passes the Senate,” says Schaitberger. “Our anti-labor opponents will not rest, and neither can we. It is paramount that every member continue to lobby their senators to pass the Cooperation Act.”

The Senate is expected to consider numerous amendments to H.R. 980 before voting on cloture and on final passage later this week.

To see how your senators voted on the motion to proceed, click here.

Read General President Schaitberger's statement in support of S. 2123.