Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes firefighters to engage in collective bargaining and to join and form a union.

Highlights:

• Authorizes firefighters in a municipality that employs 2 or more firefighters to do the following (Sec. 1):
• Organize, form, join or provide assistance to a union, or refrain from doing so;
• Negotiate collectively through representation of their own choosing;
• Engage in collective bargaining; and
• Be represented without discrimination.

• Prohibits a firefighter or a firefighter employee organization from striking (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill do not apply to volunteer firefighters and clerical personnel (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes a firefighter or a firefighter employee organization to sue to enforce the provisions of the bill (Sec. 1).

• Establishes procedures for resolving an impasse between the firefighter employee organization and the public employer, including a requirement for voters to make the final decision if all other available options for resolving the impasse have been unsuccessful (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text