Texas Local Gains Collective Bargaining

November 6, 2008 – After a well-organized campaign, Pflugerville, TX Local 4137 has won its right to collectively bargain. On November 4, 2008, 70 percent of the city’s voters cast their ballots in favor of Proposition 1.

IAFF 11th District Vice President Sandy McGhee began working with the Pflugerville fire fighters two years ago. “One of my priorities has been to ensure job security and workplace rights,” says McGhee. “Local 4137’s successful Proposition 1 campaign was a big part of meeting that goal.”

Proposition 1 asked the city to adopt Chapter 174 of Texas’ Local Government Code to give fire fighters and police the right to collectively bargain. The Chapter requires the governing body to meet with elected employee representatives and collectively negotiate benefits and working conditions. Once both parties agree on conditions of employment, the agreement is recorded into a legally binding contract.

Local 4137 received campaign advice and assistance from District Vice President McGhee, the Texas State Association of Fire Fighters (TSAFF) and members of Lake Travis, TX Local 4117. “Lake Travis ran a successful Chapter 174 campaign two or three year ago,” says Greg Monroe, president of Local 4137. “They gave invaluable advice and told us about some campaign pitfalls to avoid.”

To put Proposition 1 on the ballot, Local 4137 collected more than 900 signatures from public supporters. Once on the ballot, Pflugerville fire fighters launched a grassroots campaign funded by their PAC fund that included phone calls, yard signs and staffing the polls.

Local 4137 hopes to begin negotiating its first contract when the next fiscal year begins in October 2009.