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Friday, May 28, 2010 11:37:17 PM
![[]](http://f464.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=1%5f687349%5fAMnHtEQAAKoGS7EvHwc9SypUbGM&pid=2.2&fid=Inbox&inline=1)
LEGISLATIVE ALERT:
The FOP-IAFF collective bargaining bill has been offered as an amendment to H.R. 4899, the "Supplemental Appropriations Act"
Yesterday morning, Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-NV) offered the text of S. 1611/S. 3194, the "Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act," as an amendment to H.R. 4899, the "Supplemental Appropriations Act," which provides additional funding for U.S. military forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as disaster relief for areas affected by the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
For the last thirty-six hours, the staff in the National Legislative Office has been involved in intense negotiations with our allies in the Senate in an effort to ensure that the amendment will be considered. It is very likely that the opponents of the bill will object to its being offered on a spending bill--known as a "Rule 16" objection. In other words, we expect the amendment to be ruled out of order.
We want to ensure that all of our members are fully informed as this procedural maneuvering plays out, so as not to be taken in by false rumors, like the "carve out" amendment. Senator Michael B. Enzi (R-WY), the Ranking Member on the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), has offered seven second degree amendments to the collective bargaining amendment. The staff in the National Legislative Office has reviewed the language from all amendments, none of which would "carve out" any particular State, office or agency. If the amendment should be considered, we will oppose each of the second degree amendments.
Again, while we expect the amendment to be challenged under the rules of the Senate, it is an excellent opportunity for FOP members to contact their Senators and ask them to support Senator Reid's amendment, S. Amdt. 4174!!!
FOP members can call their Senators at their Washington offices (or through the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121) and urge them to support S. Amdt. 4174!!!
REMEMBER: the bill does not require binding arbitration, protects existing right-to-work laws, and specifically prohibits strikes and lockouts. The legislation merely requires that States “substantially provide” for the following rights and responsibilities:
• the right to form and join a labor organization;
• the right to bargain over hours, wages, and the terms and conditions of employment; and
• the availability of an “interest impasse resolution mechanism such as fact-finding, mediation, arbitration, or comparable procedures".
Additional talking points to use when making your case:
In the previous Congress, this legislation, was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on a 314-97 vote.
The House bill won a majority of votes from BOTH party caucuses.
The Senate bill has strong bipartisan support.
In the previous Congress, the Senate voted 69-29 in favor of cloture on a motion to proceed to consider the legislation (RCV #126).
The bottom line for both public safety employers and employees is not profit for shareholders, but to best ensure the safety of the officers, to bring them home safely at the end of their shift and to deliver emergency services in the fastest and most efficient way possible.
It is irresponsible and offensive to suggest that collective bargaining would impede or jeopardize the ability of law enforcement officers to do their jobs. Their lives are on the line everyday, agreement or no agreement and to suggest that response to a critical incident would be used as a bargaining chip is reprehensible. You can get additional information on the bill, and can direct Senate staff to, the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the Grand Lodge website: http://www.fop.net/legislative/issues/bargain/hr413s1611faq.pdf If any of the Senator's staff that you speak with have additional questions about the legislation, tell them to contact Tim Richardson at in the FOP's National Legislative Office at 202-547-8189
CALL NOW AND WATCH YOUR EMAIL AND THE FOP WEBSITE FOR ADDITIONAL LEGISLATIVE ALERTS!!!
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Wednesday, March 31, 2010 12:08:57 AM
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING BILL TO GET HOUSE VOTE AFTER RECESS!
Representative Steny H. Hoyer, Majority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, told National President Chuck Canterbury and Executive Director Jim Pasco that H.R. 413, the "Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act," would be "among the first" bills considered on the House floor following the Easter recess.
With Members of Congress home in their States and districts, this is a perfect time to make your voice heard!
IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVE AND ASK HIM OR HER TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF H.R. 413 AFTER THE RECESS!!!
You can find your Representatives' district office phone number using www.congress.org, or contact their office through the U.S. Capitol switchboard at 202-225-3121. When you reach their Washington office, ask for the district office phone number as well!.
The bill would recognize the fundamental right of public safety employees--primarily law enforcement officers and firefighters--to form and join unions and bargain collectively with their employers over wages, hours, and working conditions without undermining existing State labor laws. Basically, H.R. 413 would require:
- • the right of employees to form and join a union;
- • a requirement that the public safety employer recognize the union and agree to bargain over hours, wages, and the terms and conditions of employment; and
- • the availability of an impasse resolution mechanism such as fact-finding or mediation.
The legislation does not require binding arbitration and would prohibit strikes and lockouts. You should emphasize that collective bargaining is a critical tool to resolve differences, not create them.
Law enforcement officers and firefighters do not have a traditional labor-management relationship. The bottom line is not shareholder profit versus wages, but how to best keep the public safe and get the officers safely home at the end of their shifts. The success of the law enforcement mission depends on an open dialogue that is absent in far too many of our departments today.
The FOP website has some great information on this important bill: http://www.fop.net/legislative/issues/bargain/index.shtml
If you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact the National Legislative Office at 202-547-8189!
DON'T DELAY -- CONTACT YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TODAY!!!
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Thursday, March 18, 2010 12:53:58 PM
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING BILL TO GET HOUSE VOTE NEXT WEEK!
Last week, National President Chuck Canterbury appeared at a hearing held by the House Subcommittee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions to support H.R. 413, the "Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act." The hearing was held in advance of a full mark-up and vote by the full Committee on Education and Labor, which we had hoped would be scheduled for this week.
However, Committee leadership, both majority and minority, have agreed to allow the bill to proceed directly to the House floor. Sometime next week, the full House of Representatives will consider H.R. 413 on the floor.
IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVE AND ASK HIM OR HER TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF H.R. 413 NEXT WEEK!!!
You can reach the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 225-3121 and ask for your Representative by name.
The bill would recognize the fundamental right of public safety employees--primarily law enforcement officers and firefighters--to form and join unions and bargain collectively with their employers over wages, hours, and working conditions without undermining existing State labor laws. Basically, H.R. 413 would require:
-
• the right of employees to form and join a union;
-
• a requirement that the public safety employer recognize the union and agree to bargain over hours, wages, and the terms and conditions of employment; and
-
• the availability of an impasse resolution mechanism such as fact-finding or mediation.
The legislation does not require binding arbitration and would prohibit strikes and lockouts. You should emphasize that collective bargaining is a critical tool to resolve differences, not create them. Law enforcement officers and firefighters do not have a traditional labor-management relationship. The bottom line is not shareholder profit versus wages, but how to best keep the public safe and get the officers safely home at the end of their shifts. The success of the law enforcement mission depends on an open dialogue that is absent in far too many of our departments today.
The FOP website has some great information on this important bill: http://www.fop.net/legislative/issues/bargain/index.shtml
If you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact the National Legislative Office at 202-547-8189!
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Wednesday, March 03, 2010 2:19:38 AM
Fellow members of the FOP:
My name is Bill Bearden and I am a member of the Houston Lodge #109. I am reaching out to all fellow brothers
and sisters to ask for a little help. Myself and Sgt Welch (Pasadena PD) have gotten together and created a new
non-profit organization called the National Police Racquetball Association. Our goal is to promote physical awareness
and fitness for all officers nation-wide through the sport of racquetball. Our Home page is up & running while the rest
area or lodge, please forward them this information. In short, our goal is to organize fundraiser tournaments for injured
officers locally and nationally. There is a cost for joining our association but as always, the benefits far outweigh the
racquetball tournament in Las Vegas on April 29th 2010. We plan on participating in other tournaments in Ohio and
New York and still working on the National Singles Championships here in Houston. We are still looking for some
sponsors to help us get started so any help out there would be greatly appreciated. If you are a racquetball player
and competition is in your blood, you WILL NOT want to miss this opportunity to match your play against the players
from Florida, California, New York or just here in our great state of Texas. If some of yall already compete in the Texas
Police Games, well, we're taking it a step further and going nation-wide. If you have any questions, concerns or know
of a business(s) who would like to help our cause, please don't hestitate in contacting me or my partner Mike Welch
National Police
Racquetball Association
www.policeracquetball.com
832/797-5332
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Monday, February 15, 2010 9:59:41 PM
http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/Senate/members/dist27/pr09/p100209a.htm
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUESTED
This notice is being sent to anyone who can help get the word out to the
survivors of any Texas peace officer killed in the line of duty since 1993.
Senate Bill 872 (Effective 5/19/2009) provides that the surviving spouse and
dependants of these officers can re-apply for health insurance coverage
under the officer’s employer health insurance plan only until MARCH 1, 2010.
This affects any survivor who had previously dropped coverage because they
were not eligible under the previous law or the insurance was cost
prohibitive. Chapter 615, Government Code, as amended by SB 872, provides
that survivors are now eligible for coverage even if they re-marry or are
eligible for insurance under another plan. Survivors are now eligible to
obtain coverage at the SAME rate paid by active employees and keep that
coverage until they become eligible for Federal Medicare. Dependants may now
continue coverage until they become eligible for insurance through another
employer.
To obtain coverage, survivors must request enrollment prior to March 1,
2010. To meet the statutory deadline, the letter should be dated and sent by certified mail (Return Receipt Requested) to the employer prior to March 1, 2010. Make sure to make a copy of the letter you send and keep your post office receipt. The
deadline is only a few weeks from now, so IMMEDIATE ACTION is required.
Please forward to anyone you may know who has contact with any family member
of an officer killed in the line of duty.
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Saturday, February 06, 2010 2:49:48 AM
 The Lodge President has a new posting on his page. If you don't have a
password or you forgot it, when you click the tab, contact webmaster@fop98.org for your password.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Saturday, February 06, 2010 2:53:44 AM
July 23, 2010 Deadline for Amendments
Proposed amendments to the Constitution and By-laws of the HOUSTON METRO FOP LODGE#98 will be submitted to the Secretary, who will present the amendment (s) to the Constitution and By-law Committee. The Constitution and By-law Committee will consider all proposed amendment (s) and will report to the Executive Board a recommendation for approval or rejection of the amendment (s). Any proposed amendment must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the election in September of any given year.
 SWAINSON STANDS OUT IN WAHSINGTON D.C.!
A Houston Metro transit officer attending President Barack Obama's inauguration in Washington saved the life of a woman who fell in front of a Metrorail train, officials said.
A 68-year-old woman fell onto the tracks of an oncoming Metrorail train and couldn't move, officials said. When officer Eliot Swainson heard of the woman's conditions, he jumped on the tracks and tried to move her.
But when Swainson couldn't get the woman off the tracks as a train was nearing, he pulled the woman into the safety areas under the track platforms until the train could pass, officials said.
Once the train passed, emergency crews were called and the woman was lifted on to the tracks. She was transported to a local hospital to treat a dislocated shoulder.
Swainson was in Washington helping regulate the rails and had been trained on certain aspects of the Metro Rail System, including the locations of the safety areas, officials said.
Thursday, December 18, 2008 11:06:50 PM
By ROSANNA RUIZ
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
Agency's officers park at downtown intersections to deter motorists' turns into trains' path
The Metro Police Department is taking a stand against auto-train accidents by taking a seat.
The transit agency has parked officers at six downtown intersections every day for the past month, aimed at preventing motorists from making illegal turns into the path of oncoming light rail trains.
There have been 57 accidents on the rail line this year — five fewer than in the first year of operation — many of them the result of illegal turns, the transit agency has said.
The officers are monitoring the intersections as part of a pilot program that began Nov. 17, said Police Chief Tom Lambert of the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County. Last month, the city of Houston and Metro made adjustments to traffic signals at the same intersections to allow rail cars to proceed a few moments ahead of motorists.
"Some may say we're being very aggressive with having officers at every intersection," Lambert said. "But we have a responsibility to public safety to make sure we reduce accidents."
Lambert said he will scale back the number of officers at the intersections along Main at St. Joseph, Franklin, Texas, Prairie, Preston and Congress. He said his review revealed no accidents had occurred at those sites since the start of the pilot program.
Starting Friday, he said, officers will be assigned to patrol "as appropriate" between Pierce and Commerce.
The change could not come soon enough for Metro officers, who have questioned the wisdom of requiring police to sit at the intersections for an entire shift rather than being out on patrol, said Dean Goodrick, the president of the Houston Police Patrolman's Union.
Robert Lozano, president of the Houston Metro Fraternal Order of Police would only say that officers follow the chief's orders.
Metro's response to the accidents is similar to the "saturation" method the Houston Police Department has employed to deal with spikes in crime in various parts of Houston, said Larry Hoover, a criminal justice professor and director of the Police Research Center at Sam Houston State University.
"The issue is how long or what is the duration of that assignment," Hoover said. "As long as it stays temporary, because if it becomes permanent, the price you pay to personal motivation and morale can be pretty strong."
rosanna.ruiz@chron.com
COMMENTS OR DISCUSSION GO TO THE BLOG SECTION OF OUR WEBSITE
THE NEXT ARTICLE WAS POSTED ON THE METRO BLOG - WRITE ON METRO POSTED BY MARY SIT
Train Accidents Decline in Pilot Program Thursday, December 18, 2008 12:55 PM
 In the past 30 days, there have been no car/rail accidents caused by cars turning left downtown in front of a train.
That safety record is the result of a pilot program that ends this week and is a result of three factors, says Assistant Police Chief Tim Kelly of MPD.
"Education - the media attention to this effort helped to educate the driving public. Engineering - the signal timing changes implemented by the city of Houston. Enforcement - the dedicated police officers at six downtown intersections," explained Kelly. "It is a combination of these three, and no one factor can be attributed solely to this accident reduction."
Earlier, we wrote about how the city has worked closely with MPD to adjust the timing of traffic signals along the Red Line. The six test locations along Main Street are: St. Joseph, Franklin, Texas, Prairie, Preston and Congress.
The re-signaling has meant that METRORail gets a green light first, a few seconds before drivers get a green light to proceed. This permits the train to travel ahead of regular traffic at these intersections. Westbound and eastbound traffic has not been affected.
So far, this three-pronged approach is working.
By the end of this week, the police officers who have been deployed at the six downtown intersections will be reassigned, but "there will be continue to be dedicated police enforcement along Main Street to reinforce the positive changes we have made," said Kelly.
The new signal timing will stay in place. The city and METRO will work closely together to determine if more traffic lights need to be adjusted to benefit the rest of the Red Line.
"All in all, this has been a very successful joint effort between the city and METRO to enhance public safety along the Red Line corridor," said Kelly.
Monday, December 08, 2008 10:42:37 PM
Courtney Zubowski / 11 News
HOUSTON -- Prosecutors have charged 28-year-old Mabry Landor with capital murder for allegedly shooting and killing Officer Tim Abernethy on Sunday. Landor will be in court on Tuesday, but tonight, friends and family are remembering the fallen officer.
Officer Tim Abernethy had been with the Houston Police Department for 11 years. To some, Abernethy was known as a police officer. To others, he was a son, a father and a husband.
"We called him Timbo," said Officer Lance Gibson, from the Houston Police Department.
Abernethy was a fun-loving and dedicated colleague.
"It's going to hurt this department. It's something that I'll never forget," said Gibson.
Officer Lance Gibson spent the last nine years working with Abernethy.
"It was tough, and it still hasn't hit me. I wanted to see him because I did not believe it. He was a close friend and we were together all week. The last time I had seen him was Friday," said Gibson.
On Friday, Gibson said Abernethy was happy and laughing at their division Christmas party.
"We were joking like we usually do and everything was normal. We were talking about what we were going to do the following week," said Gibson.
But instead of laughter, so far this week, has been filled with tears.
“When we got the word yesterday, it was like a part of you was missing. Tim will be missed," said Sgt. Leo Boutte, Houston Police Department.
Sergeant Leo Boutte was Abernethy’s supervisor. He said he was a hard worker and dedicated to his job.
"He was out there working a hot spot location, which is a place where there were crime problems. He was there to address it. The people lost someone who was out there fighting for them," said Boutte.
Boutte also said Abernethy was a family man and proud of it.
"His family was his number one thing. He was always talking about his family. He was proud of his son in the Navy, and real proud of his daughter who is an A&M graduate," said Boutte.
He was also proud of what he did as a police officer. He was a man his colleagues said you wanted to follow because you always knew Tim Abernethy would steer you in the right direction.
A vigil for the fallen officer is planned for Tuesday night at 6:30 outside the Luxor Apartments.
Officer Abernethy's family, fellow officers and friends will lay him to rest friday morning at 11:00. The service will be held at the Champion Forest Baptist Church on Stuebner-Airline Road.
The funeral will be open to the public.
See the blog for a commentary by webmaster.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008 9:32:39 PM
 If You are visiting our site, Please take the time to sign the guest book.
Sign Guest Book
###
Tuesday, July 22, 2008 12:23:26 AM
July 23, 2008 Deadline for Amendments
Proposed amendments to the Constitution and By-laws of the HOUSTON METRO FOP LODGE#98 will be submitted to the Secretary, who will present the amendment (s) to the Constitution and By-law Committee. The Constitution and By-law Committee will consider all proposed amendment (s) and will report to the Executive Board a recommendation for approval or rejection of the amendment (s). Any proposed amendment must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the election in September of any given year.
Monday, July 21, 2008 11:07:15 PM 11:07:15 PM
Friday, July 18, 2008 11:15:53 PM
The following was emailed out to Lodge Members who has provided the webmaster with their email address:
| Subject: |
MEETING July 20th |
| From: |
"Webmaster" <Webmaster@fop98.org> |
| Date: |
Fri, July 18, 2008 4:05 pm |
| To: |
private |
| Priority: |
Normal |
| Mailer: |
private |
| Options: |
private | |
|
July 20, 2008 Meeting
General Membership meeting at 7pm.
***************************************************************************
Several Board Seats have to be filled. These include the Vice-Presidents,
Secretary, and a Trustee position.
PLEASE attend and be heard!
***************************************************************************
Essential Benefit Solutions, LLC
Gena Moore
President, Sales & Marketing
Phone (586) 465-2284
Fax (586) 465-2484
Gena.Moore@essential-benefit-solutions.com
Injury and Sickness Disability - STD & LTD
Hospital Indemnity Insurance
Lum Sum Cancer Benefits
Term Life Insurance
Website: www.essential-benefit-solutions.com
written through: Sun Life Financial
She has a new product that may benefit Lodge members:
I actually found a fantastic product that I am selling to the state police
in Massachusetts called the Lifestyle Protector. It's a life insurance
policy that pays out the face value of the life insurance amount if you have
a heart attack or stroke or any other type of catastrophic illness or if
you go out on disability. For instance, if you are 45 years old and you
are
paying $20 per month, you are eligible for $22,267 of life insurance. If
you have a heart attack, stroke or go out on disability for sickness OR
injury then you will receive a lump sum equal to the face value of the life
insurance amount. The best part is if the benefit amount is under $100k
then there are no medical questions.
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The Fraternal Order Of Police Lodge 98 : Weight Loss Challenge
Official Rules:
1. All particpants must be members in good standing with the Houston Metro
Fraternal
Order of Police Lodge 98.
2. The weight loss challenge will be based on the percentage of weight
loss of the
participant.
3. All participants must be present for the first and the final weigh -in
4. There will be a weigh-in midway in the competition (3 months) this
weigh in is
optional so that the participants will know who is your greatest
competition.
5. All weigh-ins will have at least one board member present and the
results of the
weigh-in will be recorded in the official log for the contest.
6. All participants must be weighed on the official contest scale in
order to enter
the contest.
7. No shoes, duty belts, guns or rigs of any type will be worn at the time of
weigh-in (socks are okay).
8. All weight loss must be natural: no surgery gastric bypass, lapband etc.
participants may use supplements.
9. In the event of a tie the 1000.00 prize will be divided amongst the
winners.
10. All participants will remit a fee of 10.00 cash order to be a part of
the contest.
11. The contest event will begin July 20,2008 and end December 21, 2008
with a
deadline to enter the contest of July 23, 2008 before 4PM.
12. All pictures ,literature etc. associated with the contest become the sole
possession of the Houston Metro Fraternal Order of Police Lodge
98.Original Copies
of materials (pictures, literature etc.) will be maintained by the lodge
98 for
historical and archival information concerning the lodge. Copies of
materials can be
obtained upon request and approval by the lodge for a nominal fee. 13.
All decisions are final, the winner (s) of the weight loss challenge will
receive 1000.00 or the sum total to be divided if there is more than one
winner.
All information concerning the contest have been compiled by Enola Hopkins
and
Phillip Suarez
***************************************************************************
PLEASE PASS ON THIS INFORMATION TO MEMBERS THAT MAY NOT HAVE RECEIVED THIS
EMAIL. i AM TRYING TO GATHER EVERYONES EMAIL AND CELL NUMBERS SO ALL
MEMBERS WILL BE KEPT UP-TO-DATE.
***************************************************************************
THE website (www.fop98.org) and BLOG (http://fop98.blogspot.com)are being
updated almost daily. STAY INFORMED!
Greg Schoener
Webmaster
Houston Metro FOP Lodge 98
Houston, Texas
www.fop98.org
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SWAINSON STANDS OUT IN WAHSINGTON D.C.!
