In the 1960s, many classes and conferences on police management pondered the question, should police officers be allowed to form and join a union? This question is being considered today in 2014 in view of the various issues involving the decline of
union membership and legislative acts prohibiting agency shops. So, what is your view on the issue?
Main facts –
Yes – unions give some sense of job stability and protect workers from unfair and unsafe working conditions. For police unions, the contract allows for a formal method of resolving labor management differences through the grievance procedure. For discipline, there is also a formal method of due process before a sanction is given. There is also a process to bargain for wages, benefits, and conditions of employment that are presented in a formal contract.
No – police unions infringe on management in terms of running the department as seen in issues that arise in attacking management rights and trying to give out assignments outside of the seniority. It is often difficult to fire or give a sanction to an officer who has committed acts of misconduct. It is not necessary to have grievance and other forms of mediation, as employee groups have access to the courts. It is difficult to reward officers for good work as pay rules are very defined. In those states that have agency shops, all employees are basically forced to join the union.
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