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Click Here - For information about the FOP - UPCOMING EVENTS: State Board Meeting - Scheduled for Sunday, February 14, 2010 2010 State Conference, April 30-May 1, 2010 - READ BELOW Letter to all lodges regarding Labor Council - PLEASE READ BY CLICKING HERE 2010 Christian Law Enforcement Retreat - March 18-20, 2010 - Click Here for Brochure January 24, 2010
Dear Local Lodge, The Labor Council was formed to address law enforcement related labor issues that affect our members. A primary focus of the Labor Council has been to assist lodges across Nebraska with the high cost of obtaining a wage and benefit survey. Labor Council funds have also been used to assist lodges with other labor issues that affect everyone employed in law enforcement. Unfortunately, we have nearly priced the Labor Council out of business. In 2009, the Labor Council had 493 members representing 16 lodges. Those participating lodges paid $14, 790 in dues. Ten wage surveys were requested which resulted in another $3,000 of income for the Labor Council. The total income for the year was $17,790. Ron Todd was paid $26,520 to complete surveys and $2000 was given to a local lodge to help with an unfair labor practice claim. The end result—we paid out $10,730 more than we brought in. We currently collect $30/member each year from participating lodges. At that rate, it would take 89 members per lodge to pay for the cost of a wage/benefit survey. We currently average 31 members per participating lodge. We would have needed to collect $57.85/member last year just to break even. We are forced to make some changes or go broke. This problem isn’t unique to the Labor Council. In 2009, membership dues funded only 15% of the State Lodge budget. We cannot rely on fundraising to pay for 85% of the things that are integral to our business and absolutely necessary to make us an effective voice for law enforcement officers in Nebraska. We have to increase efficiency and income or drastically cut services. In November, the State Lodge executive board discussed funding issues and changes for the Labor Council. We currently have a portion of labor services carved out and handled by the Labor Council. The Labor Council has a separate board of directors with a cumbersome method of decision making and a non-existent policy to pay for travel or member meetings. We have traditionally been having Labor Council meetings in conjunction with State Board meetings but attendance is very poor. The State Board has historically funded the legislative side of labor services. The members of the Nebraska Fraternal Order of Police need to decide what labor services they desire and those services need to be made available through the State Lodge—not through two separate, yet related, entities. These issues and others will be discussed in detail at the State Board meeting scheduled for February 14, 2010 in North Platte. Rick Weisman with the Labor Services Division of the National Lodge will be at the meeting to present some options that may be helpful to us. Lodging and travel expenses to attend board meetings are paid for the Trustee of each local lodge. I encourage every lodge to have a representative present at the meeting. Details of the board meeting are available on our Web site—nebraskafop.org. Invoices for Labor Council dues are usually distributed in January. We have purposely delayed the billing until after the Board meeting on February 14th. Members who pay dues likely expect to receive a wage/benefit survey. The reality is that funding may not be available to deliver those surveys and it’s not appropriate to collect dues and not provide the expected services. Please make every effort to attend the State Board meeting in North Platte on February 14, 2010 at 1 PM. Sincerely,
Steve Reeves Brothers and Sisters: State President John Francavilla has called a State Bd meeting for Sunday, February 14, 2010 at 1 PM at the Quality Inn in North Platte in the North Loup River Room. This will be a major meeting to discuss the possible future and expansion of the Labor Council, dues increase an the Legislative session. a lot of the items to be discussed will be voted on at the State Conference scheduled for April 30-May 1 in Kearney.
Rick Wiseman from the Grand Lodge Dept of Labor Services will be present to discuss our options and the future of the labor council.
Sunday night is also the annual Lincoln county area law enforcement mountain oyster feed while we are there.
Have a safe and happy New Year, Russ Zeeb, Secretary
Quality Inn Contact Information for Room Reservations 1-800-760-3333 or 308-532-9090 Ask for "Fraternal Order of Police Room Block" Price of $66 for Standard Room or $99 for a two-room jacuzzi suite. All overnight guests will recieve a full free hot breakfast buffet.
2010 State Conference 2010 Conference Registration Form
August 26th - ATTN: LEGAL DEFENSE MEMBERS - At the next renewal period off-duty coverage will be included. This will increase the cost of the benefit. Additional phone numbers to contact Cara Webb-Robbins, Benefit Administrator for the Fraternal Order of Police Legal Plan, Inc are 505/293-6600 and 505/291-4981.
Please watch the FOP Website for additional legislative alerts
Fund raisers sponsored by Nebraska Fraternal Order of Police
Would you like to donate directly to the Nebraska Fraternal Order of Police? Online Fundraiser (Corporations for Character) Donations: Click Here
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