“Collective bargaining” refers to the process where a group of employees, usually represented by a labor union, negotiate with their employer to reach an agreement regarding their terms of employment, including wages, working hours, benefits and other conditions, essentially giving workers a collective voice to advocate for better workplace standards; this right is primarily protected by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), which mandates that employers must bargain in good faith with their employees’ chosen union representative. 

Collective bargaining is a way to solve workplace problems. It is also the best means for raising wages in America. Indeed, collective bargaining has many benefits for workers, including:

• Job security: Unionized workplaces have lower worker turnover, which can benefit employers by retaining experienced workers. 
• Higher pay: Collective bargaining can lead to higher pay for workers. 
• Better working standards: Collective bargaining gives workers a stronger voice and can lead to better working standards. 
• Safer workplaces: Unions can create safer workplaces by requiring safety equipment and health insurance. Unions can also help workers report unsafe conditions without retaliation. 
• Improved quality of life: Collective bargaining can improve the quality of life for workers. 
• Better working relationships: Collective bargaining can encourage cooperation, which can lead to better working relationships. 
• Economic growth: Collective bargaining can help ensure that all parties involved in the process are growing and their interests are safeguarded. 

So, the question is why would anyone who has the opportunity to be a member of their collective bargaining unit choose not to exercise this right? Over the past 24 years, I have heard numerous reasons/excuses as to why people are not members. The most popular reason is that “I never get in trouble, so I don’t need the LVPPA.” 

The strength is the LVPPA lies with the members and having a united front. Imagine being a patrol officer and getting into a shooting or working at CCDC and using force, which results in death P# 9222 or serious bodily injury. The stress alone of dealing with interviews and public scrutiny and perception is not an enviable position to be in. The contract that covers our employees deals with more than just discipline; it defines pay, benefits and explains the rights of our officers under 289. Most of all, this organization really and truly cares about its members. Those who choose not to be members come up with the most asinine reasons, and are generally misinformed by a few bitter senior officers who are ignorant about the value of membership. A wise man once said, “The strength of any organization begins with the unity of its members.”