Harry Reid's Push To Nationalize ALL Cop/Firemen Unions

[thundley4]

Senate Democrat Majority Leader Harry Reid is quietly trying to nationalize rules governing every police, fire and first responder union in the nation. Through the benignly named Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act (H.R.413) Reid wants all first responders represented by collective bargaining rules emanating from Washington D.C. Naturally he thinks that it is necessary as a matter of national security.

Reid is pushing this monstrosity as a major sop to his union supporters who will greatly benefit from nationalized rules for police and fire unions. This plan would replace with federal rules all state laws on collective bargaining between state and local governments and their first responder unions and would greatly empower unions to dictate pay scales and benefits on a national level.

Imagine the loss of control that local governments will face when first responder unions no longer have to deal with local rules and laws but can force a federal one-size-fits-all style rule on all local governments. Local governments will no longer be able to determine pay scales and benefits and will lose control of their own ability to budget. Reid's plan will also completely remove the ability of voters to have any say in local matters as a top down control from Washington will rule the day where it concerns local police, fire and other first responders.

Also remember, if a local government wants to fire a policeman or fireman they now have to deal with local laws and home-based unions. If H.R.413 passes no local government will be able to fire a cop or fireman without appealing to the federal government, a source far, far removed from the local area and a source completely unfamiliar with the needs and interests of that local area.

Unfortunately, there is a large contingent of Republicans supporting this nanny state, big government take over. Many think that what they are doing is leveling the playing field for all first responders and setting rules that can govern them equally. In this age of terrorism when our first responders are so important it almost makes sense. After all, wouldn't it be smart to have our first responders treated regularly across the nation so that we can rely on them for their services?

ChicagoNow

[RightCoast]

The Politburo is now in session.

[bkg]

It's amazing what you can do once you determine "interstate commerce" = breathing...

[Alpha Mare]

It's amazing what you can do once you determine "interstate commerce" = breathing...

Ain't that the truth?  They have a long list and only 4 short months to accomplish complete cluster****.

[bkg]

Ain't that the truth?  They have a long list and only 4 short months to accomplish complete cluster****.

Interstate commerce nullifies the rest of COTUS... Brilliant, eh?

[DumbAss Tanker]

It sounds like this is based on Federal national defense powers, not the Commerce Clause, but I would hope this gets challenged in court if it ever becomes legislation.  There is a huge legacy of case law to the effect that the so-called police power (Public safety and order, and the ability to execute it) is reserved to the States, and this would substantially interfere with it.