Nashville Officers Vote to Decertify from the Fraternal Order of Police

Nashville Officers Vote to Decertify from the Fraternal Order of Police

December 1, 2005

(Nashville, TN) – In a giant step toward securing strong representation by the Teamsters Union, the majority of nearly 1,200 Davidson County Police Officers voted to decertify from the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) today, clearing the way for the unit to vote for a new bargaining representative.“The officers have spoken and their message is clear,” said Jimmy Neal, President of Teamsters Local 327 in Nashville, Tennessee. “They are fed up with the FOP failing to represent their interests. This vote says they are tired of the status quo and want the Teamsters as their bargaining representative.”A majority of officers turned out to register their dissatisfaction with the FOP and their desire for strong representation. Only 6 percent voted against decertification. The policy outlined by Metro’s personnel department requires a majority of eligible voters in the bargaining unit to vote in favor of decertification.“This vote wasn’t even close,” said Jesse Case of the Teamsters Law Enforcement League (TLEL). “We will immediately file for a vote for representation so these officers can move forward.”After the Teamsters file to become the certified bargaining representative for the officers, Metro is required to set a date for the election within a 45-day period. Unlike the decertification vote, a majority of officers that participate in the vote can elect the Teamsters Union as their new bargaining representative.The TLEL is a division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, representing over 1,200 law enforcement bargaining units across the country.