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Pelosi: We Must Protect the Rights of Men and Women Who Protect Our Homes and Families

July 17, 2007

Pelosi: We Must Protect the Rights of Men and Women Who Protect Our Homes and Families

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Contact: Brendan Daly/Nadeam Elshami, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. â€" Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other House Democrats joined several dozen police officers, firefighters and other public safety officers at a rally at the Capitol this afternoon to celebrate House passage today of H.R. 980, the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2007, which extends collective bargaining rights to public safety employees in all 50 states. The bill passed by a vote of 314 to 97. Below are Pelosi’s remarks:

â€Å"Today the House achieved an historic victory on behalf of the brave men and women who valiantly protect Americans every day â€" our police, firefighters, correction officers, and emergency services personnel.

â€Å"By guaranteeing the right of these courageous first responders to collective bargaining in all 50 states, the House has gone on record in favor of better wages, benefits and working conditions for the men and women who keep watch over our neighborhoods and protect our nation.

â€Å"This is necessary because 20 states do not fully protect the collective bargaining rights of workers and this legislation is desperately needed to ensure that the police, firefighters, correction officers, and emergency services personnel are guaranteed the right to organize and bargain collectively.

â€Å"I would like to thank the public service union representatives who have joined us this afternoon to celebrate this tremendous win for their members.

â€Å"Every year, more than 21,000 police officers and 75,000 firefighters are injured on the job. Collective bargaining gives police and firefighters a voice in improving working conditions so they can do their very difficult jobs and then return safely to their families.

â€Å"I am proud of the action the House has taken today to protect the rights of these men and women who every day work to protect our homes and families. Thank all of you for your courage and your service to our country.”