HB 1401 Collective Bargaining for First Responders Fails

HB 1401 - To provide for collective bargaining for law enforcement officers and paid full‑time firefighters, failed in the North Dakota House 19-75 on Tuesday, Jan 31.

On Tuesday Jan 31, 2017 HB 1401, failed to pass with 19 yeas and 75 nays.

“Are we really going to sit on our hands now? We all pay lip service to our support for police and firefighters. We largely consider them our heroes. Would we really refuse them the right the most of the rest of us have? There was no testimony against this bill in the committee, there was no opposition.

We hope you will show the courage they show, on our behalf, every day.”

- Rep. Schneider, Democrat - District 21

A week prior, on January 24, the North Dakota House Industry, Business, and Labor Committee voted 12-2 on a party line vote against the right of Police and Firefighters to speak up together and collectively bargain for better wages and working conditions.

You can read the bill here: http://www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/65-2017/documents/17-0866-01000.pdf

These public safety workers are trusted with our lives and the lives of our loved ones, yet our legislature doesn't trust them to negotiate on their own behalf. This decision lacks basic respect for these people and the difficult job they do.

A sincere appreciation goes out to the sponsors of H.B.1401:

Rep. Schneider, Democrat - District 21; Rep. Anderson, Democrat - District 4; Rep. Boschee, Democrat - District 44; Rep. Delmore, Democrat - District 43; Rep. Dobervich, Democrat - District 11; Rep. Guggisberg, Democrat - District 11; Rep. Hogan, Democrat - District 21; Sen. Nelson, Democrat - District 21; Sen. Oban, Democrat - District 35; Sen. Piepkorn, Democrat - District 4.

Find your legislators here: https://www.legis.nd.gov/lcn/assembly/constituentViews/public/findmylegislator.htm

Thank your legislators who voted "Yes", and let your legislators that voted "No" know you are disappointed they don't stand with our First Responders.