Texas Senate Bill SB1744

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of Senate Committee: 5/6/09
• Voted on by Senate: 5/14/09

Caption

Relating to conditions of employment for law enforcement officers and corrections officers employed by certain counties.

Impact

The legislation allows counties to maintain a degree of local control over the employment terms of law enforcement. A key feature is the establishment of specific procedures for recognizing employee associations, which can act as exclusive bargaining agents for the law enforcement and corrections officers. This can lead to improved working conditions, job satisfaction, and retention rates by facilitating direct dialogue between the employees and the county officials regarding their employment concerns.

Summary

SB1744 relates to the employment conditions specifically for law enforcement and corrections officers in counties with populations of 3.3 million or more. It introduces provisions whereby these officers have the ability to form associations for the purpose of collectively bargaining their employment terms, which include wages, working conditions, and hours. This bill recognizes the importance of representation for law enforcement personnel and aims to establish a formal method for negotiating their employment conditions with the county as the public employer.

Contention

Notably, the bill stipulates that officer strikes are prohibited, ensuring continuous law enforcement operations and the public's safety. However, this may be contentious as it limits the officers' ability to protest against unfavorable working conditions. Additionally, the bill implements a mechanism allowing voters to repeal collective bargaining agreements, which may create instability in ongoing negotiations and could lead to a climate of uncertainty among law enforcement personnel regarding their work agreements.

Notable_points

The bill is significant as it modifies existing laws concerning law enforcement employment by formalizing the process of collective bargaining for these officers. This move has drawn attention, as it places a spotlight on the need for fair labor practices within public safety sectors while navigating the complexities associated with public service employment relationships.