Macon Police Officers Are The First Law Enforcement Group In Georgia To Join The Teamsters

Macon police officers made history this month, becoming the first law enforcement department in Georgia to vote to join the Teamsters.

The vote on Dec. 4 was an overwhelming 162-2 to join Teamsters Local 528 in Atlanta. There were 220 officers eligible to vote (sergeants and those of lesser rank). The victory in Macon has sparked interest from several other law enforcement departments in Georgia interested in being represented by the Teamsters, said Don Toney, President of Teamsters Local 528.

“This victory has started something we hope to build on,” Toney said. “We have gotten the Macon officers a voice at the table but they deserve more than that and we will work toward getting them what they deserve for all the hard work they do for the city.”

Toney credited Local 528 Business Agent Johnny Gabriel and Jim Romar, a National Field Representative for the Teamsters Law Enforcement League, for this victory.

A group of officers approached the Teamsters in September seeking representation. That was significant because there are no public sector laws in Georgia regarding organizing and collective bargaining, Romar said.

“It is reportedly illegal in the state of Georgia for city and county governments to have contracts with their employees,” Romar said. “Employees apparently are very much ‘at will employees’”.

Romar said the overwhelming vote in favor of the Teamsters shows the city of Macon that these officers are seeking a major change in the way they are perceived treated. There are approximately 325 police officers protecting about 96,000 citizens in Macon. The top salary is just about $30,000 a year, Romar said.