Collective Bargaining Bill Delayed By Partisanship

May 16, 2008 – After an historic 69-29 cloture vote to bring the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act (H.R. 980/S.2123) on the floor of the U.S. Senate for debate, presidential politics, partisanship and the Senate's arcane procedural rules combined to temporarily stall progress on the bill that would give every fire fighter the right to collectively bargain.

Immediately before voting on several GOP-sponsored amendments to the bill, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) attempted to attach Senator John McCain’s (R-AZ) GI Bill of Rights Bill to S.2123, a move designed both to sidetrack debate on the bill and boost the candidacy of presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain.

However, most Democrats and many Republicans favor a competing GI Bill of Rights sponsored by Virginia Senators Jim Webb (D) and John Warner (R) that is far more generous to veterans and their families than McCain's bill. After rancorous debate, the Graham amendment was defeated 55-42.

The Graham-McCain amendment served notice that anti-labor Republicans planned to use all tactics at their disposal to block consideration of the legislation, including bringing the Senate to a complete standstill. Undoubtedly, many hard core opponents will employ slash-and-burn strategies to sabotage the bill and spread their message on a variety of non-related issues, including immigration, gun rights, abortion, paycheck protection and other divisive topics. Their efforts are bolstered by President Bush and his minions through a veto threat and letters denouncing the bill.

With the Senate scheduled to take up the emergency supplemental appropriation to support our troops fighting abroad, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) was compelled to temporarily suspend debate and action on the collective bargaining bill. Before setting aside the IAFF’s legislation, he made a public plea to Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY), who was managing the bill on the Republican side of the aisle, to reach an agreement on a reasonable list of amendments that could be considered. The bill’s Democratic manager, Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA), and Republican leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) also took to the Senate floor to express their support for reaching an agreement that would allow the Senate to move forward.

After speaking with both Senators Reid and Kennedy this morning, President Schaitberger reports that both remain fully committed to passing this legislation this year.

“Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has provided incredible and unprecedented support for our national collective bargaining bill,” says Schaitberger. “He has done more as a leader for our members than any Majority Leader in my 32 years in Washington. His commitment and follow-up has been extraordinary. No matter what ultimately occurs, we owe Senator Reid an enormous debt of gratitude, along with Senator Kennedy, who has been the vanguard of this effort for years and continues to be our biggest proponent.”

The IAFF is hopeful that an agreement can be reached to consider the legislation in the coming weeks. The bill’s two principal sponsors, Senators Judd Gregg (R-NH) and Kennedy, are working to ensure that a successful outcome is reached. However, if negotiations fail, the IAFF will be forced to seek another cloture vote.

“Our nation’s fire fighters and other first responders protect our families, our communities and our nation,” says Senator Kennedy. “They deserve this basic legislation, and we owe it to them to get this bill signed into law. The IAFF has worked tirelessly for years to make it happen. We’re close to the finish line at long last, and we won’t stop until we get the job done.”
In 1994, delegates at the IAFF Convention made passing a national collective bargaining law the union’s top legislative priority.

“We will not rest until this legislation is passed and every fire fighter has collective bargaining," says Schaitberger.

The IAFF will continue to provide updates on S.2123 as they are known.