Quote:
Originally posted by Say_hello_for_me
I note (before this turns hostile), that my whole quote about "arguing about terminology" specifically covers your retort. You are arguing the similarity of the rights to those of a union, and I'm merely noting that, at the very least, their organization just can't be called a union. For whatever reason.
Hello
ETA: The national FOP site indicates that it was merely avoiding the shame of being a union when formed in 1915. It does not substantively address things like the MASS 1958 exception (which, strangely, I only found for MASS on the internet... weird that). Anyway, aside from the no-strike thing, one of the rather major differences from many traditional unions is the organizational structure. The national is more like a professional organization that does lobbying, political endorsements etc. It does not govern locals. For example, it doesn't take over locals when the leadership has gone bad. Similar to the state/local level. I suspect its related to the union thing in that local govts want to bargain with their sweethearts and not some guy in another state. But there is surprisingly little to be found either for or against my proposition on the internet.
|
I'm not trying to be hostile. I guess I'm not sure where you are basing this argument about terminology. Granted, I do not practice in Mass. But a quick look at the Boston Police Patrolmen's Association website shows that it is Local #1607 of IUPA, AFL-CIO.
see
www.bppa.org
Going over to the IUPA website shows that on February 20,1979 - IUPA becomes the first independent law enforcement union to hold an AFL-CIO charter.
http://www.iupa.org/about/iupahighlights.html
So, while we certainly agree that the Boston police can't strike (but can have an informational picket), I'm not sure you are correct in saying that they can't officially be called a union, because it looks like they are calling themselves a union. While the FOP may represent other police officers in the state, it does not appear that they represent the men and women in blue in Beantown.
As to the organizational structure between the BPPA and the IUPA national, I have no idea. We'd have to get a copy of the International's Constitution to see what rights they have with respect to each local.
aV
