Sample Letter #1:

For states that permit collective bargaining:

 

 

 

 

 

[Insert Date]

 

The Honorable [insert Senator’s name]

United States Senate

Washington, DC 20510

 

Dear Senator [insert Senator’s name]:

 

On behalf of the [insert number] cities and towns represented by the [insert name of State Municipal League], I write to express our strong opposition to H.R. 980, the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2007, or any similar federal legislation.

 

It has long been the position of the [insert name of State Municipal League] that the federal government should not undermine municipal autonomy with respect to making fundamental employment decisions by mandating specific working conditions, including collective bargaining, which H.R. 980 does.

 

While current [insert state name] law permits local governments to enter into collective bargaining agreements with public employee labor unions, a mandate like the one prescribed in H.R. 980 would interfere with existing state law and usurp fundamental municipal decision-making authority over the employment relationship.

 

The local elected officials in [insert state name] value our public safety employees, as we do all public sector employees.  On their behalf, I urge you to oppose federal mandatory collective bargaining legislation and respect the long-standing principle of non-interference in employer-employee relations that has existed among the federal, state, and local governments.

 

If you have any questions about the State Municipal League's position with respect to H.R. 980 or any similar proposal, please contact [insert contact name and contact information]. 

 

Sincerely yours,

 

[Name]

[Title]

 

 

 

Sample letter #2:

For states that prohibit or substantially limit collective bargaining:

 

 

 

 

 

[Insert Date]

 

The Honorable [insert Senator’s name]

United States Senate

Washington, DC 20510

 

Dear Senator [insert Senator’s name]:

 

On behalf of the [insert number] cities and towns represented by the [insert name of State Municipal League], I write to express our strong opposition to H.R. 980, the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2007, or any similar federal legislation.

 

It has long been the position of the [insert name of State Municipal League] that the federal government should not undermine municipal autonomy with respect to making fundamental employment decisions by mandating specific working conditions, including collective bargaining, which H.R. 980 does.

 

Current [insert state name] law [prohibits/limits] local governments from entering into collective bargaining agreements with public employee labor unions.  A mandate like the one prescribed in H.R. 980 would interfere with existing state law and usurp fundamental municipal decision-making authority over the employment relationship.

 

The local elected officials in [insert state name] value our public safety employees, as we do all public sector employees.  On their behalf, I urge you to oppose federal mandatory collective bargaining legislation and respect the long-standing principle of non-interference in employer-employee relations that has existed among the federal, state, and local governments.

 

If you have any questions about the State Municipal League's position with respect to H.R. 980 or any similar proposal, please contact [insert contact name and contact information]. 

 

Sincerely yours,

 

[Name]

[Title]

 

 

Status of Collective Bargaining Laws by State[1]

 

 

States that permit collective bargaining:

 

 

States that prohibit or

substantially limit collective bargaining:

 

 

  1. Alaska 
  2. California 
  3. Connecticut 
  4. Delaware 
  5. Florida 
  6. Hawaii 
  7. Illinois 
  8. Indiana 
  9. Iowa 
  10. Kansas
  11. Kentucky 
  12. Maine 
  13. Maryland 
  14. Massachusetts 
  15. Michigan 
  16. Minnesota 
  17. Missouri 
  18. Montana 
  19. Nebraska
  20. New Hampshire 
  21. New Jersey 
  22. New York 
  23. North Dakota 
  24. Ohio 
  25. Oklahoma 
  26. Oregon
  27. Pennsylvania 
  28. Rhode Island 
  29. South Dakota 
  30. Texas 
  31. Vermont 
  32. Washington
  33. Wisconsin

 

 

  1. Alabama
  2. Arizona
  3. Colorado
  4. Georgia
  5. Idaho
  6. Louisiana
  7. Mississippi
  8. New Mexico
  9. Nevada
  10. North Carolina
  11. South Carolina
  12. Tennessee
  13. Texas
  14. Virginia
  15. West Virginia
  16. Texas 
  17. Wyoming 

 

 


[1] This information is based on the testimony of R. Theodore Clark, Jr., Partner, Seyfarth Shaw, LLP before the Committee on Education and Labor, U.S. House of Representatives," June 5, 2007.