In January 2005, when the FOP was working to get the DPS Meet and Confer bill passed, the FOP asked the AHPA to support our bill, a request that the AHPA rebuffed. In fact, the APA (Plea) directed the AHPA leadership not to support the bill.
The common belief is that the the APA and AHPA leadership did not believe they could prevail in an election, so they refused to support the bill until it became apparent to everybody that the FOP's DPS Meet and Confer bill would succeed.
Arizona FOP members were given an explanation of the AHPA's failure to support DPS Meet and Confer.
The DPS Labor Council put out information to correct the misconception that AHPA "..led the DPS Meet and Confer bill thorough the legislative process." See the FOP's "Myth and Fact" newsletter.
Governor Napolitano signs Meet and Confer Bill for DPS
Governor Janet Napolitano signed the Arizona Fraternal Order of Police’s Meet and Confer for the Department of Public Safety (DPS) Bill (SB 1042) into law on request of the Arizona F.O.P.
The first and only attempt to secure meet and confer for DPS officers was initiated and introduced by the Arizona Fraternal Order of Police, while other lobbyists and political advisors said it would never happen
The FOP persevered and in 2 short years had the bill signed into law.
The DPS Meet and Confer Bill require a Meet and Confer policy between the Director of DPS and the employees of DPS. This bill requires DPS to:
a) allow its employees to form and join employee organizations.
b) recognize an employee organization that is elected by a majority of DPS employees.
c) agree to meet and confer with the elected employee organization regarding hours and terms and conditions of employment.
d) commit any agreements to a written contract.
The bill also authorizes the Governor to reject, accept or modify any agreement or compromise, including those made in mediation, after considering the interests of DPS employees and the public interest. The Governor’s final decision is binding.
