Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2005

The Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2005 (S. 513) seeks to guarantee collective bargaining rights for state and local public safety officers, such as police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel. Under this bill, the Federal Labor Relations Authority would ensure that state laws allow these employees to form labor unions and require employers to bargain with them over working conditions and contracts.

For citizens, the bill aims to standardize how public safety labor disputes are handled across the country while explicitly prohibiting strikes, lockouts, or work slowdowns that could disrupt emergency services. By establishing a formal framework for negotiations, the legislation intends to improve cooperation between local governments and first responders to ensure the stable delivery of essential public safety services.