NCFOP Labor Council

The primary mission of the NCFOP Labor Council is to prepare for the eventual day when collective bargaining will be used to determine the working conditions of North Carolina law enforcement officers. To that end, the State Lodge has established a Labor Council, raised money by means of an annual assessment from the membership, and sent Labor Committee members to training seminars. The subject matter of these seminars has included how to form, regulate, and manage a Labor Council, as well as how to conduct collective bargaining negotiations. Members have recently participated in actual role playing exercises in conducting negotiations.

Most people who do not yet have collective bargaining believe that the purpose is to determine wages and benefits for law enforcement personnel. While this is a vital function, it is only a part of the picture. Collective bargaining agreements also cover all aspects of working conditions for those covered under the agreement. Negotiated contracts must cover such areas as shifts, uniforms and equipment, and disciplinary procedures. Contracts must also grant the right for negotiators to conduct bargaining during working hours, free from coercion or intimidation. These conditions will be quite familiar to those of our members from collective bargaining states, but will be new to those who have served their entire careers in North Carolina.

Future activities for the Labor Council will include incorporation of the Council, further training in the art of collective bargaining, and an examination and update of the last statewide salary and wage study. My goal will be to make this information available on line, as well as linking the State Lodge website to resources of the Grand Lodge such as sample collective bargaining agreements and nationwide studies of salaries and benefits.

     P.T. (Phil) Williams

Labor Chairman
Email: laborchair@ncfop.org