How To Run A Police/Fire Union

9:00 am | Introduction And Recent Developments

Recent developments from around the country in the area of public safety labor relations. Basic principles regarding the law and union organizational structure. The source of union rights and responsibilities.
Will Aitchison

10:00 am | Constitutions And Bylaws

A discussion of the pros and cons of different constitutional provisions:

Dues and finances
Fair share membership
Scheduling and running union meetings
Election of officers
Management of union funds
Charitable contributions

Will Aitchison, Stephen James, and Will Newton.

2:00 pm | Finances And Fundraisers

A discussion of the finances of a labor organization:

Dues structures
Membership assessments
Initiation fees
Selecting an outside fundraiser
Monitoring the activities of an outside fundraiser
Ensuring compliance with charitable solicitation law

Will Aitchison, Stephen James, and Will Newton.

11:00 am | Duty Of Fair Representation

The definition of the duty of fair representation and the types of issues to which it applies:

The procedures a labor organization should follow with respect to grievances
The duty of fair representation in negotiations and arbitrations
Insurance for the duty of fair representation
The liability of union officers for breaches in the duty of fair representation

Will Aitchison, Stephen James, and Will Newton.

1:00 pm | Representing A Member In A Disciplinary Interview

A review of how to prepare a member for a disciplinary interview:

Obtaining information about the employer’s ongoing investigation
The basic rules to follow to be an effective witness
Counseling the member during the interview
Follow-up work after the interview
The tests for just cause for discipline, including progressive discipline, mitigating circumstances, and disparate treatment
The Garrity and Weingarten rules and how they apply in disciplinary investigations and critical incidents

Rob Wexler, Chris Collins, and Mark Docherty.

8:30 am | Collective Bargaining

Preparing for the collective bargaining process:

The ongoing tracking of bargaining issues
The factors to consider in selecting a bargaining team
The development of bargaining priorities
Writing bargaining proposals
Compensating bargaining team members
Selecting the chief spokesperson
Strategies for effective note taking
Keeping records of bargaining
The different ways to ratify a contract
Bargaining surveys of the membership

Rob Wexler, Chris Collins, and Mark Docherty.

Will Aitchison – Mr. Aitchison is a Portland, Oregon attorney who has, over the course of his career, represented over 100 law enforcement and firefighter labor organizations in five western states. He received his Doctor of Jurisprudence from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C. and is the author of several books on public sector labor matters, including The Rights of Law Enforcement Officers (6th Edition), and The Rights of Firefighters (3rd Edition).

Chris Collins – Mr. Collins currently serves as the Executive Director of the Las Vegas Police Protective Association, representing approximately 2700 law enforcement officers. He has worked in law enforcement with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department for the past 26 years, including patrol, the detective bureau, and 13 years in SWAT. He is also the Executive Secretary to the National Association of Police Organizations.

Mark Docherty – Mr. Docherty currently is serving as 6th District Vice President for the Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union. He also is a Field Service Representative for the IAFF 8th District, consisting of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky, President of the Sterling Heights Fire Fighters Union Local 1557 and a Fire lieutenant with the Sterling Heights Fire Department. He serves as the State Political Director for all Gubernatorial and US Presidential Races.

Stpehen James – Mr. James is currently the president of the Long Beach, California Police Officers Association. He has been lead negotiator for two full contracts, one contract extension, and numerous meet-and-confer issues. He is on the National Board of Directors of the Fraternal Order of Police. He has taught classes nationwide on Collective Bargaining, Political Action, and Communicating With the Next Generation.

Will Newton – Mr. Newton currently serves in the positions of President and Business Agent of the St. Petersburg, Florida Association of Fire Fighters, which has more than 380 members. Mr. Newton is responsible for negotiating five different collective bargaining agreements for his members. He has 18 years of experience as a Firefighter/EMT with St. Petersburg Fire & Rescue.

Rob Wexler – Mr. Wexler is a partner in the Southern California law firm of Silver, Hadden, Silver, Wexler & Levine. He has spent his entire career in the area of Labor and Employment law with a special emphasis on issues affecting public safety employees and their associations through collective bargaining, employment litigation, and disciplinary defense. He is a graduate of Southwestern University School of Law.

The Flamingo Las Vegas
3555 Las Vegas Blvd South
Las Vegas,
702-733-3111 • 800-732-2111

To make arrangements, call the hotel directly and request the group rate for this seminar. Room rates are $130 per night, single or double occupancy, Tuesday through Thursday nights; $150 per night on Friday and Saturday nights. These rates are for the updated GO rooms. For a description of the rooms, go to flamingolasvegas.com. A limited number of rooms are available at this rate on Friday and Saturday nights, so book early if you plan to stay over. Reservations must be made by January 25, 2010. Reservations received after this date will be on a space-available basis only and at the prevailing rate. Because of the heavy tourist activity in Las Vegas any time of the year, be sure to make your reservations before January 25!!