Assembly Committee to Vote on
WPPA’s Arbitration of Discipline Bill on May 3
(Updated 4/27/07)
MADISON – On May 3, the Assembly Committee on Corrections and the Courts will vote on legislation to allow town, village, and city police officers to negotiate for the right to appeal Police and Fire Commission (PFC) disciplinary decisions to an arbitrator. Current law only allows appeals to a circuit court. This process can be very lengthy and costly for both the employer and the officer. Introduced by State Representative Garey Bies (R-Sister Bay), Assembly Bill 57 would provide municipal law enforcement officers with the opportunity to appeal the decision of a PFC to an arbitrator, rather than to a circuit court, if permitted in the officers' collective bargaining agreement.
Arbitration of discipline is already permitted for other public employees, including county law enforcement officers. The labor rights afforded the dedicated men and women of Wisconsin’s law enforcement community should not depend upon the color of the uniform they wear. Current law allows for this illogical and inequitable result.
IN ORDER FOR AB 57 TO PASS OUT OF THIS COMMITTEE,
WPPA MEMBERS MUST GET INVOLVED!!!
Using the following links, WPPA members are urged to contact the following committee members should also telephone the following committee members and RESPECTFULLY ASK THEM TO SUPPORT AB 57:
YOUR CALL CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE!!!
For more information about Assembly Bill 57, go to http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2007/data/AB-57.pdf. Anyone with questions or comments regarding this legislation is welcome to contact WPPA Assistant Executive Director Jim Palmer, either by telephone at 1.800.362.8838, or by e-mail at palmer@wppa.com.
