Probation, parole officers become 'essential' under new legislation

Published: March 12, 2010

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HARRISBURG - The House Labor Relations Committee has approved legislation introduced by state Rep. Robert E. Belfanti Jr. that would designate certain state law enforcement officials "essential" under Pennsylvania law, giving them the same status as state police, prison guards and certain court employees.

Belfanti, who is chairman of the committee, said the bill (H.B. 1244) would designate state probation and parole officers, Liquor Control Board enforcement agents and state narcotics investigators as essential employees, meaning they could no longer strike as a response to a collective bargaining impasse.

"Pennsylvania law recognizes the right of public employees and private employees to enter into collective bargaining and to strike," Belfanti said. "While that right is important to preserve, the law also recognizes that in the interest of public safety, certain public employees, such as law enforcement personnel, cannot be allowed to walk off the job.

"This bill recognizes the duties performed by Pennsylvania's liquor control agents, probation and parole officers, and narcotics investigators as essential," he said. "As such, they would be prevented from striking, but would gain the right to limited binding arbitration to resolve contract disputes."

Belfanti said the bill would affect about 400 probation and parole officers, 140 liquor enforcement agents and 120 narcotics agents. The bill would preserve these employees' right to form collective bargaining units that contain employees with similar duties.

Belfanti said the state Fraternal Order of Police and other law enforcement agencies support the legislation. A similar bill sponsored by Belfanti was passed by the House in the 2007-08 legislative session, 197-4, but the Senate did not take action on it.

House Bill 1244 now goes to the full House for consideration.

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