Current User:
!
HIGH PRIORITY
OPPOSE: SB 1567
THANK YOU! - ACTION COMPLETED
RESULT: BILL DID NOT PASS
Scope:
Status:
Information:
State of Oregon; all law enforcement units
Bill defeated!
Background:
In 2019, the State Legislature considered measures that would have allowed LEO employers to apply unilaterally-adopted disciplinary policies to collectively-bargained arbitration processes. ORCOPS fought against this and the committee focused on a less offensive version of the concept, one that would simply allow LEO bargaining units to include discipline guides as subjects of bargaining. However, after the measure passed the Senate, ORCOPS became aware that the City of Portland's intended interpretation of the measure was not what had been agreed upon, and the measure failed to pass.
In the 2020 session, the Legislature is considering SB 1567, which similarly allows these policies to be bargained, but it a priority for ORCOPS opposition due to three significant flaws:
-
First, the City of Portland's interpretation continues to be that the measure will keep arbitrators from applying the "just cause" standard within the parameters of the policy, effectively repealing "just cause" protections for employees that have been in Oregon law for decades.
-
Second, the City of Portland recently took the position through testimony of a management official that the City’s “advisory discipline guide” was to be considered “collectively bargained” and “incorporated into the City’s policies” for purposes of arbitrating disciplinary actions. This means that if SB 1567 is enacted, the City's position would be that it would automatically take effect regardless of bargaining -- a principle that may be tried by other jurisdictions as well.
-
Lastly, the PPA and City of Portland have begun bargaining, and this issue will be raised at the bargaining table by the City of Portland. For the City to suggest that this is a subject of bargaining and then actively advocate for a measure in Salem that would supersede the bargained item smacks of bad faith bargaining, and opens the door to employers availing the legislature to assist with their bargaining efforts.
Recently, the Legislature amended the bill into SB 1567-A in a feeble attempt to make it more palatable, but our concerns are the same.
Objective:
We ask for a "no vote" and that the bill not move forward. But at the very least, the Legislature must fix SB 1567-A in two ways:
-
Clarify that any discipline guide must be agreed to in collective bargaining and included in the contract, and
-
Ensure that an arbitrator can still correct chiefs' and sheriffs' decisions if the discipline is applied in a biased manner.
NOTE: So long as the House Republican caucus maintains their walkout, the bill cannot be voted on by the House.
TAKE ACTION:
1
Send a message.
First, we'd love you to write an e-mail in opposition for the record. It's helpful to be able to point to plenty of opposition voices when we're down in Salem.
It's easy with this form. But if you'd prefer to send from your own e-mail account, e-mail your own legislators (find out who that is with this tool).
Tips:
-
Include "SB 1567-A" and "VOTE NO" or "FIX THIS!" somewhere in your message.
-
Be firm, but polite. Lawmakers take notice of citizen input, but are not generally swayed by rudeness or cursing.
-
Be careful about what personal information you include. These communications are public records. It is OK to send a message using only your first name, but please do not submit any false information.
Abbreviate this if you do not want it on the record.
For example: Officer, family member, retiree, friend, etc
EXAMPLE MESSAGE
OPPOSE OR FIX SB 1567-A
Dear Legislators,
As a law enforcement family, we are concerned and offended at the Legislature's consideration of removing fair employment standards from a bargained contract!
The text of SB 1567-A does not match what supporters have been suggesting is in the bill! Supporters have said that any discipline guide affected by SB 1567-A must be included in a contract, but that is not in the text of the bill, which only says that as a result of bargaining, the employer must adopt such a guide into their own policies.
Also, although supporters have said that this will create a "fair and predictable" system, SB 1567-A actually makes employers less accountable by allowing selective enforcement of policies and biased discipline without any kind of accountability! Without a "just cause" standard allowing arbitrators to rightly adjust discipline when the employer has acted outside the scope of the labor agreement, we might as well have no contract at all.
ORCOPS has proposed some very reasonable compromise amendments (1567-A4), but these have not been considered. Legislators: Your law enforcement officers go to work every day willing to put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe. Please don't repay that dedication with a subversion of our bargaining rights. VOTE NO on SB 1567-A.
PS: Hopefully, House Republicans will ensure that when/if they return, consideration of SB 1567-A is OFF THE TABLE!
Thank you for your time,
(name)
This action has been completed, and SB 1567 did NOT pass!
Thank you!!
Thank you! Your message has been submitted!
2
Make a call.
The second thing you can do is phone your State Representative and let them know you are opposed to the bill. In Oregon, you are actually more likely to be able to speak directly with your Representative than at the national level. But even if you get an answering machine or a staff member, leave that message for your Senator nonetheless -- those messages really do get to them.
To find your State Rep, enter your address on this link. Once you press "find who represents me," a window should open showing who your state senator is and what their office phone number is.
Remember to:
-
Say who you are ("Bob from Corvallis", or "Jane Smith, a Deputy with Washington County")
-
Explain why you're calling (To let them know that you want them to vote NO on SB 1567-A)
-
Explain why you oppose the legislation (see above)
-
Be courteous to elected officials and staff.