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 United Federation of Special Police and Security Officers, Inc.

 

From: Robert D. Gordon

               Secretary/Treasurer

UFSP&SO

 Sunday, August 10,2008

IT IS INDEED AN HONOR AND A PRIVILEGE TO ADDRESS THIS DELEGATION. IT WILL BE 30 YEARS THIS COMING FEBRUARY AND TO PRESENT TO YOU THE HISTORY OF THE FORMATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL UNIFORM POLICE ASSOCIATION HAS A LONG HISTORY THAT GOES BACK TO THE LATE 50”S. IN 1962 MY DEPARTMENT BECAME A MEMBER OF WHAT WAS KNOWN AS THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF POLICE ASSOCIATION HEADQUARTERED IN WASHINGTON, D.C.. THIS  ORGANIZATION WAS FORMED BY A GROUP OF POLICE OFFICERS WHO MET IN WASHINGTON TO LOBBY CONGRESS TO INCLUDE OUR NATIONS POLICE OFFICERS UNDER THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM. IT WAS THEN DECIDED BY THIS GROUP TO FORM A NATIONAL ASSOCIATION TO PURSUE FURTHER LOBBYING THE CONGRESS FOR INCLUSION UNDER THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT AND OTHER FEDERAL LEGISLATION THAT WOULD EFFECT OUR NATIONS POLICE OFFICERS. AS THESE HANDFUL OF POLICE ASSOCIATIONS LEADERS REALIZED THAT THERE WAS NO ACTIVE NATIONAL POLICE ASSOCIATION LOOKING OUT FOR THE INTEREST OF THEIR MEMBERSHIP.   THIS GROUP OF LEADERS HELD SEVERAL OTHER MEETINGS IN WASHINGTON AND FORMED THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF POLICE ASSOCIATIONS. IN THE MID 1960’S THE NAME OF THE CONFERENCE WAS CHANGED  TO THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF POLICE ASSOCIATION WHICH ALLOWED CANADA TO BELONG. THE CONFERENCE COULD NOT LOBBY FOR OUR CANADIAN BROTHERS. THEY STILL WANTED TO BECOME MEMBERS WITH FULL VOTING RIGHTS. AT THAT TIME IT WAS DECIDED THAT THE CONFERENCE NEEDED A FULL TIME EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR  LOCATED IN WASHINGTON D.C. TO RUN THE ASSOCIATION ON A FULL TIME BASIS. SINCE THE METROPOLITAN D.C. POLICE ASSOCIATION WAS ONE OF THE ORIGINAL FOUNDERS OF THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE THEY NOMINATED ROYCE GEVINS, A RETIRED LIEUTENANT FOR THE POSITION OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. HE RENTED OFFICE SPACE IN THE BUILDING  THE METRO POLICE ASSOCIATION  RENTED ON PENNSYLVANIA  AVENUE, WASHINGTON D.C. UNDER HIS SUPERVISION ALONG WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF INTERNATIONAL UNIFORM POLICE ASSOCIATION, CONGRESS PASSED LEGISLATION ALLOWING POLICE OFFICERS TO JOIN THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM.

ROYCE LED THE INTERNATIONAL UNTIL 1971 WHEN HE ANNOUNCED THAT HE WAS RETIRING AND A SEARCH BEGAN FOR HIS REPLACEMENT. THE PRESIDENT OF THE 70,000 MEMBER OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF NEW YORK APPROACHED ME AND ASKED IF I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN SEEKING THE POSITION AS I WAS THE TREASURER, AND VICE PRESIDENT OF THE NEW YORK POLICE CONFERENCE AS WELL AS THE PAST TREASURER, VICE PRESIDENT AND PRESIDENT OF MY ASSOCIATION IN FREEPORT NEW YORK, AS WELL AS THE TREASURER OF THE NASSAU COUNTY  POLICE CONFERENCE WHICH COMPRISED OF 26 POLICE ASSOCIATIONS. I HAD ALSO LOBBIED OUR STATE LEGISLATORS ON LEGISLATION EFFECTING POLICE OFFICERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE. I THEN ATTENDED THE WINTER BOARD MEETING OF THE INTERNATIONAL IN MIAMI, FLORIDA TO ATTEND A MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS .WAS TO BE INTERVIEWED BY A THREE MEMBER PANEL OF VICE PRESIDENTS FROM WASHINGTON D.C., N.Y.C. AND TORONTO, CANADA FOR THE POSITION OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AS WELL AS BOB KLIS MET FROM WISCONSIN WHO WAS A VICE PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE AND JOHN CANNON, A RETIRED LIEUTENANT FROM THE WASHINGTON D.C. POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE THREE MEN PANEL MADE THE CHOICE FOR THEIR CHOICE FOR THE POSITION BY A VOTE OF 2-1 TO OFFER ME THE POSITION ON A SIX MONTH TRIAL BASIS. I ACCEPTED AT WHICH TIME IT WOULD BE PRESENTED TO THE DELEGATES TO BE VOTED ON AS A 3 YEAR CONTRACT AT THEIR CONVENTION IN JULY 1972, IN LAS VEGAS, NEVADA.

UNKNOWN TO BUT A FEW CLOSE FRIENDS OF ED KIERNAN THE PRESIDENT OF THE NEW YORK CITY POLICE BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION, HE ANNOUNCED THAT HE WOULD BE SEEKING THE OFFICE OF A “FULL TIME” PRESIDENT AND MOVED TO AMEND THE BY-LAWS TO INCLUDE THE POSITION OF A FULL TIME SALARIED PRESIDENT. PRIOR TO THE CONVENTION I HAD TRAVELED TO LOS ANGELES TO ADDRESS THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFFS ASSOCIATION. THEY HAD EXPRESSED INTEREST IN JOINING THE INTERNATIONAL. I THEN EXTENDED THEM AN INVITATION TO ATTEND OUR CONVENTION IN JULYAS THEY HAD A MEMBERSHIP OF 9,000 MEMBERS. AT THE CONVENTION, ED KIERNAN WAS SUCCESSFUL IN AMENDING THE BY-LAWS TO HAVE A FULL TIME SALARIED PRESIDENT.  BY A CLOSE VOTE HE WAS ELECTED AS A FULL TIME PRESIDENT. THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFFS ASSOCIATION WHO HAD SUBMITTED HIS APPLICATION TO JOIN THE INTERNATIONAL WITHDREW THE APPLICATION STATING THAT THE INTERNATIONAL FROM THE FINANCIAL REPORTS THAT HE READ COULD NOT AFFORD FULL TIME EXECUTIVES. FROM 1972 TO 1979 WE SAW THE ASSOCIATION GROW TO SOME 190,000 MEMBERS. WHILE WE WERE INDEED LARGE IN NUMBERS, WE WERE CONSTANTLY STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY AS OUR DUES WERE THE UNHEARD OF A NICKEL. A MAN A MONTH AND EACH TIME I PRESENTED A BUDGET TO INCLUDE A MODEST INCREASE OF 10 CENTS  A MEMBER  THE NEW YORK CITY PBA THREATENED TO WITHDRAW FROM THE ASSOCIATION IF THE DUES WERE RAISED. AS THE LARGEST MEMBER ASSOCIATION THEIR DUES WOULD BE SOME $38,000 A YEAR. IF IT WERE NOT FOR SEVERAL MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS AS THE CHICAGO POLICE ASSOCIATION, HEADED BY JACK HAWKINSON, WHO WAS OUR EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, GERRY CROWLEY, PRESIDENT OF THE SAN FRANCISCO POLICE ASSOCIATION, BOB KUCTER FOR THE CLEVELAND POLICE ASSOCIATION, ALL OF WHOM ADVANCED THE INTERNATIONAL 2 YEARS DUES , NONE OF US WOULD BE SITTING HERE IN THIS ROOM TODAY. MOST  ASSUREDLY, WOULD HAVE GONE OUT OF BUSINESS. ALONG WITH FUNDS WE RECEIVED FROM OUR PUBLICATION, THE “LAW OFFICER MAGAZINE”, WE CONTINUED TO SEE A SMALL INCREASE IN OUR MEMBERSHIP.

DURING THIS PERIOD AFTER MANY MONTHS OF LOBBYING MEMBERS OF CONGRESS  AS THE LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE INTERNATIONAL AS WE COULD NOT AFFORD A LOBBYIST . WE SAW THE PASSAGE OF PUBLIC LAW 94-430 HR 366 SIGNED BY PRESIDENT GERALD FORD ON SEPTEMBER 29TH,   1976 IN THE ROSE GARDEN. IT PROVIDED  THE SURVIVORS OF POLICE AND FIRE FIGHTERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY  A FEDERAL PAYMENT OF THEN $50,000 WHICH HAS NOW  REACHED $300,00 DUE TO INFLATION. I LOOK UPON THIS LEGISLATION AS THE BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT THAT THE INTERNATIONAL ENGAGED IN. AS IN MOST CASES, SEVERAL SO CALLED NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS ALL CAME OUT OF THE WOOD WORK CLAIMING IT WAS THEIR ASSOCIATION WHO HAD THE BILL PASSED. THE F.O.P., I.B.P.O. AND THE FLORIDA BASED AMERICAN FEDERATION OF POLICE. WAS RAN BY GERALD ARRONBERG WHO RAN A SO CALLED  POLICE MUSEUM IN FLORIDA, WHO WAS  UNDER INVESTIGATION BY SOME 5 STATE  ATTORNEY GENERALS FOR THE FRAUDULENT FUND RAISING. IT WAS THE ICPA WHO LOBBIED WEEK AFTER WEEK, MONTH AFTER MONTH AND TESTIFIED BEFORE THE HOUSE JUDICIARY SUB COMMITTEE AND THE FULL COMMITTEE WHICH IS  A MATTER OF THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD. ON MY WALL IN MY OFFICE I PROUDLY DISPLAY THE COPY OF THE BILL THAT WAS SIGNED BY PRESIDENT FORD. ALSO, ONE OF THE PENS HE USED TO SIGN THE BILL AND A PICTURE OF MYSELF, PRESIDENT ED KIERNAN, VICE PRESIDENT, JACK HAWKINSON TAKEN IN THE ROSE GARDEN OF THE WHITE HOUSE  THANKING THE ICPA FOR THE EFFORTS IN SEEING THIS LEGISLATION BECOME LAW.  PRESIDENT KIERNAN AND I WERE A SHORT TIME LATER APPOINTED BY PRESIDENT FORD TO A PANEL TO SET UP THE GUIDE LINES WITH THE LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE ADMINISTRATION AS TO THE PAYMENT TO THE SURVIVORS OF THE DECEASED MEMBER IN THE FOLLOWING YEARS. THE COVERAGE INCLUDED CORRECTION OFFICERS, COURT PERSONAL SUCH AS JUDGES, COURT OFFICERS, DISTRICT ATTORNEYS AND EMS AS WELL AS ALL FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

DURING THE PERIOD BETWEEN 1975 AND 1978 PRESIDENT KIERNAN CONSTANTLY BROUGHT UP THE SUBJECT OF THE INTERNATIONAL SEEKING A CHARTER FROM THE AFL-CIO WHICH IS STRONGLY OPPOSED AS DID MANY OF THE PBA’S IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY AND CANADA. AT THAT TIME CANADIAN POLICE COULD NOT BE AFFILIATED WITH ORGANIZED LABOR WHICH IS NOW CHANGED. MUCH TO THE STORY THAT IT WAS PRESIDENT KIERNAN THAT FIRST SOUGHT TO JOIN THE AFL-CIO, IT WAS THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE N.Y.C. P.B.A., JOHN CASSESE IN 1965 WHO MET WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE AFL-CIO. IT WAS GEORGE MEANEY REQUESTING A  CHARTER AND WAS TOLD THAT  IF HE COULD BRING IN  THE ENTIRE POLICE ASSOCIATIONS IN NEW YORK STATE AND NOT JUST THE THEN 21,000 NEW YORK CITY POLICE  THAT HE WOULD CONSIDER HIS REQUEST. THERE WAS NO WAY THE REST OF THE PBA’S WOULD CONSIDER JOINING THE AFL.. THE ISSUE OF A POLICE ORGANIZATION RECEIVING A CHARTER WAS A DEAD ISSUE UNTIL THE MID 70’S. THE UNHEARD OF 4 MAJOR POLICE STRIKES TOOK PLACE, SAN FRANCISCO, MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, ALBUQUERQUE AND LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO WHICH I HEADED IN LAS CRUCES. WENT DOWN IN HISTORY AS THE LONGEST POLICE STRIKE IN THE UNITED STATES WHICH LASTED 31 DAYS. DO TO THE FACT THAT NEW MEXICO WAS A RIGHT TO WORK STATE ALONG WITH SOME OTHER  13 RIGHT TO WORK STATES. ALL OF THE SOME 36 OFFICERS AS WELL AS 4 SUPERVISORS WERE FIRED BY THE CITY AS WELL AS SOME 22 FIRE FIGHTERS WHO JOINED THE STRIKE OVER THE FOLLOWING 4 MONTHS. WE WERE HOWEVER SUCCESSFUL  IN ENDING THE WALK OUT IN ALBURQUERQUE WHEN THE CITY AGREED TO A MEET AND CONFER STATUS WITH  THE ASSOCIATION.. I SPENT 4 DAYS IN TALKS WITH MAYOR ALLAIOTA AND THE LEADERS OF THE S.F.P.O. REGARDING THE MANY GRIEVANCES THAT THE ASSOCIATION HAD WITH THE CITY . REGARDING  PAY AND WORKING CONDITIONS WHICH WERE ALL RESOLVED IN FAVOR OF THE ASSOCIATION, THUS ENDING THE STRIKE. THERE AFTER, OUR MEMBERS IN MEMPHIS STRUCK THE CITY AND AT THE REQUEST OF THEIR PRESIDENT, DAVE BAKER, I WENT TO MEMPHIS TO HELP NEGOTIATE THEIR DEMANDS WITH THE CITY FATHERS WHICH FELL ON DEAF EARS.THE PRESIDENT OF THE STATE AFL-CIO JOINED US IN THE TALKS AND TOLD THE CITY FATHERS THAT UNLESS THE CITY MEET MOST OF THE POLICE ASSOCIATION DEMANDS HE WOULD CLOSE DOWN THE CITY .IT INCLUDED  EVERY CITY EMPLOYEE WHICH NUMBERED IN THE THOUSANDS. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THAT THE CLOUT THE STATE PRESIDENT OF THE AFL HAD CONVINCED THE CITY FATHERS TO SETTLE THE STRIKE GIVING IN TO ALMOST EVERY DEMAND.WE EVEN HAD SOME 30 SUPERVISORS REINSTATED WHO HAD JOINED THE WALK OUT. AFTER WITNESSING THE CLOUT THAT THE AFL HAD IN DEALING WITH THE CITY IN SUPPORT OF THE POLICE ASSOCIATION IN MEMPHIS I RETURNED TO WASHINGTON. I TOLD PRESIDENT KIERNAN THAT I HAD CHANGED MY MIND ON SEEKING A CHARTER WITH THE AFL AND THAT WE SHOULD SEEK SOME SUPPORT IN SEEKING AFFILIATION. WE THEN APPROACHED A FRIEND OF ED KIERNAN AND MYSELF. THE PRESIDENT OF THE I.A.F.F., HOWIE MCCLENDON, WHO ALSO WAS A MEMBER OF THE AFL EXECUTIVE BOARD IF HE WOULD SUPPORT OUR SEEKING A CHARTER WHICH HE WHOLE HEARTEDLY SUPPORTED. DURING THIS  INTERVAL WE THEN BROUGHT  UP THE POSSIBILITY OF JOINING THE AFL. WE BROUGHT THE MATTER  UP AT OUR CONVENTION IN TORONTO, CANADA WHERE 201 ASSOCIATIONS ATTENDED. AFTER A MUCH HEATED DEBATE THAT LASTED ALMOST 4 HOURS A VOTE WAS TAKEN. THE VOTE WAS 200 TO 200 AS THE CANADIANS OBTAINED  FROM VOTING, LEAVING A TIE VOTE. AT WHICH  TIME, UNDER OUR BY-LAWS, THE PRESIDENT CAST THE DECIDING VOTE IN JOINING THE AFL. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THERE WAS AN UPROAR FROM THOSE WHO OPPOSED JOINING THE AFL AND SHOUTED THEY WOULD NEVER JOIN THE AFL. DO TO THEIR THREATS AND OBJECTIONS, THE NEW YORK POLICE CONFERENCE AND THE NEW JERSEY STATE PBA FILED A COURT INJUNCTION IN FEDERAL COURT IN WASHINGTON, D.C., ATTEMPTING TO BLOCK THE AFFILIATION. ON MARCH 29TH, THE JUDGE RULED IN FAVOR OF THE AFFILIATION.  OPENING THE DOOR FOR OUR POSSIBLE AFFILIATION. AS I PREVIOUSLY STATED, HOWIE MCCLENDON PITCHED ON OUR BEHALF, AND ON FEBRUARY 12TH, I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM HOWIE ADVISING ME THAT THE EXECUTIVE BOARD OF THE AFL WOULD CONSIDER OUR REQUEST AT THEIR WINTER BOARD MEETING ON FEBRUARY 25TH  AND ADVISED US TO BE AT THE MEETING IN MIAMI, FLORIDA. HOWIE MUST HAVE MADE A GREAT PITCH FOR US. ON FEBRUARY 25TH AT 3:25 PRESIDENT MEANEY CAME OUT OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING  AND ADDRESSED THE NEWS MEDIA. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN LABOR UNION HISTORY, A CHARTER WAS GRANTED TO THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF POLICE ASSOCIATIONS. I, ED KIERNAN AND VICE PRESIDENT HAWKENSON WERE ELATED. WE ALL AGREED IT WAS 100 YEARS IN THE MAKING AND WE WOULD RETAIN OUR OWN AUTONOMY WITHIN THE AFL-CIO. WE THEN NOTIFIED ALL OF OUR MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS OF THE GRANTING OF THE CHARTER BY THE AFL-CIO. FROM FEBRUARY UP UNTIL OUR CONVENTION  IN PHOENIX, WE HEARD RUMORS OF ASSOCIATIONS WITH DRAWING FROM THE ICPA IF WE JOINED THE AFL-CIO. UPON CONTACTING THOSE ASSOCIATIONS WHO SUPPORTED JOINING THE AFL, A MEETING WAS HELD IN WASHINGTON, D.C. TO DISCUSS THE PENDING PULL OUT OF THOSE ASSOCIATIONS OPPOSING THE AFFILIATION. IT WAS THEN DECIDED BY THOSE ASSOCIATIONS SUPPORTING THE AFFILIATION THAT A  PLAN BE DEVISED. IF THERE WAS A MASS RESIGNATION OF ASSOCIATIONS LED BY NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY THAT WE ALL RESIGN FROM THE ICPA AND FORM THE ASSOCIATION WHICH IS THE I.U.P.A.. TRUE TO THEIR THREATS, THE NEW YORK STATE POLICE CONFERENCE WITH 70,000 MEMBERS AND THE NEW JERSEY STATE P.B.A. WITH SOME 30,000 MEMBERS WITHDREW FROM THE I.C.P.A. THAT MORNING WAS THE BIRTH OF THE I.U.P.A.. AS WE ALL LEFT THE ROOM AFTER SUBMITTING OUR RESIGNATIONS, INCLUDING OUR OFFICE STAFF AND WENT TO ANOTHER ROOM AND INFORMED THE I.U.P.A., LEAVING THOSE ASSOCIATIONS IN THE I.C.P.A. IN SHOCK AT THE RESIGNATIONS OF THE ENTIRE EXECUTIVE BOARD. RETROSPECT, IT WAS A BOLD MOVE AS WE LEFT BEHIND ALL OF THE RECORDS OF THE INTERNATIONAL, 7 ROOMS OF OFFICE FURNITURE, AND ALL THE EQUIPMENT USED BY THE OFFICE STAFF WHICH OUR GENERAL COUNCIL ADVISED. WE HAD TO LOOK FOR A NEW OFFICE WHICH WE FOUND 2 BLOCKS FROM THE CAPITOL. KEEPING IN MIND THERE  WAS NO MONEY TO DO ANY OF THIS AND NO PAY FOR OUR STAFF, PRESIDENT KIERNAN AS WELL AS MYSELF FOR ALMOST 4 WEEKS UNTIL SEVERAL ASSOCIATIONS SENT US THEIR DUES IN ADVANCE. UNFORTUNATELY, A MAJOR PROBLEM AROSE. WITH THE AFL AS WHEN WE APPLIED FOR THE CHARTER WE HAD AROUND 200,00 MEMBERS WHICH THE AFL WOULD  RECEIVE DUES ON THAT AMOUNT OF MEMBERS , WHICH I AM SURE WAS A MAJOR POINT FOR THE AFL IN GRANTING US A CHARTER WITH THE DEFECTION OF NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY AND CANADA. WE WERE LEFT WITH APPROXIMATELY SOME 32,000 MEMBERS. A FAR CRY FROM 200,000. IN THE ENSURING YEARS LOST SEVERAL THOUSAND MORE. MONTHS AFTER THE DEMISE OF THE I.C.P.A., THE GROUP WHO VOTED AGAINST THE AFL, FORMED THE NOW N.A.P.O.. HEADED BY BOB SCULLY WHO WAS A VICE PRESIDENT FROM DETROIT WHO OPPOSED THE AFFILIATION.. WHAT STARTED OUT FOR ME AS ELATION IN JOINING THE AFL, SOON HAD ME THINKING IF I HAD MADE THE RIGHT DECISION. JUST 22 DAYS OF SETTING UP OUR NEW OFFICES UNDER THE I.U.P.A., I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY/TREASURER OF THE AFL, TOM DONAHUE. WE WERE BEING CHARGED WITH AN ARTICLE 20, WHICH AT THAT TIME  I HAD NO IDEA WHAT THE HELL  AN ARTICLE 20 WAS. I CONTACTED HIM AND HE TOLD ME THAT THE PRESIDENT OF THE S.E.I.U., JERRY WURFF FILED THE ARTICLE 20 AGAINST US FOR RAIDING HIS UNION WHICH WAS IN VIOLATION OF THE AFL-CIO BY-LAWS. WHEN I QUESTIONED HIM AS WHAT MEMBERS WE RAIDED HE TOLD ME THAT THERE WERE 4, AND I REPEAT 4 WESTCHESTER COUNTY NEW YORK, DISTRICT ATTORNEY INVESTIGATORS WHO WERE MEMBERS OF THE SEIU. I WAS THEN TOLD IF I WISHED TO AVOID THE CHARGES, I HAD TO RELINQUISH THE 4 MEMBERS, WHO I MIGHT ADD WERE MEMBERS OF THE I.C.P.A. FOR OVER 7 YEARS.  THEY WENT WITH US WHEN WE FORMED THE I.U.P.A.. MY RESPONSE  FELL ON DEAF EARS. WE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO NOTIFY THEM THAT THEY WOULD BE REMOVED FROM MEMBERSHIP.  UPON LEARNING  WHAT THE S.E.I.U. DID,THE 4 INVESTIGATORS RESIGNED FROM THE S.E.I.U. AND REJOINED THE  I.U.P.A.. THE NEXT TWO YEARS I RECRUITED SOME 61 NEW ASSOCIATIONS. THE LARGEST BEING THE   ISLAND OF PUERTO RICO WITH 8,000 MEMBERS AGAINST OTHER AFFILIATED AFL UNIONS SUCH AS THE TEAMSTERS, S.E.I.P., U.A.F.SC.M.E., I.B.P.O., FOOD AND  COMMERCIAL WORKERS AS WELL AS SEVERAL OTHER SMALLER UNIONS AND THE F.O.P.. WHY ANY POLICE OFFICER WOULD WANT TO AFFILIATE WITH THE FOOD AND COMMERCIAL WORKERS UNION WHICH REPRESENTS CLERKS AND RESTAURANT WORKERS IS BEYOND ME. WHEN I WAS ATTEMPTING TO SIGN UP THE MARYLAND STATE  POLICE AT A HOTEL IN BALTIMORE I TANGLED WITH THE ORGANIZER FOR THE FOOD AND COMMERCIAL WORKERS UNION WHEN HE WAS AT THE SAME MEETING. I WAS ASKED WHY THEY WOULD WANT TO RECRUIT POLICE OFFICERS INTO THEIR UNION, AS WE WERE GIVEN THE CHARTER TO REPRESENT POLICE OFFICERS , HIS ANSWER WAS AND I QUOTE: “ WE RECRUIT ANY ONE

WHO WALKS OR CRAWLS WHO IS NOT A MEMBER OF THE AFL-CIO” NEEDLESS TO SAY, THE MARYLAND STATE  POLICE  STAYED INDEPENDENT. WE WERE THE NEWEST KID ON THE BLOCK AND COULD NOT COMPETE WITH THE  AFOREMENTIONED UNIONS WHO HAD THE MONEY AND MEMBERSHIP TO PUT ON  BANQUETS AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS TO RECRUIT POLICE ASSOCIATIONS. THE LAST STRAW FOR ME BEING AFFILIATED WITH THE AFL-CIO WAS WHEN PRESIDENT REGAN FIRED THOUSANDS OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS AND REPLACED THEM WITH MILITARY CONTROLLERS. PRESIDENT KIERNAN AND I WERE SUMMONED TO AFL-CIO HEADQUARTERS ALONG WITH THE ENTIRE PRESIDENTS OF THE AFL UNION TO DISCUSS THE STRATEGY IN SUPPORTING THE STRIKING CONTROLLERS AND THEIR UNION ON THE PICKET LINES AT EVERY MAJOR AIRPORT IN THE UNITED STATES. 

TO PUT IT MILDLY, WHEN I STATED THAT IF OUR MEMBERS AT THE NATIONAL AND DULLES AIRPORTS WHO WERE EMPLOYED BY THE FAA POLICE THAT ANY VIOLATIONS OF LAW ON A PICKET LINE, THEY WOULD HAVE TO TAKE POLICE ACTION. ONE UNION PRESIDENT FLATELY STATED THAT MY STATEMENT WAS THE REASON HIS UNION VOTED AGAINST OUR AFFILIATION IN THE AFL-CIO, BECAUSE IT WAS A PROVEN FACT THAT THROUGHOUT THE YEARS OF THE LABOR MOVEMENT COPS WERE STRIKE BREAKERS. FORTUNATELY, THE STRIKE ENDED WITHOUT ANY VIOLENCE . IT WAS THE END OF THE THEN TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS UNION AS THEY LOST THE RIGHT TO REPRESENTATION FOR THEIR CONTROLLERS UNDER FEDERAL LAW WHICH PROHIBITED STRIKES. IN 1982, I WAS DEFEATED FOR RE-ELECTION AS SEVERAL WEST COAST LOCALS AND SEVERAL FROM TEXAS. IT WAS TIME FOR A CHANGE. CONVENIENCE THE PRESIDENT OF THE MEMPHIS POLICE ASSOCIATION WHO I HAD WORKED WITH TO BRING HIS STRIKE TO AN END JUST 7 MONTHS BEFORE OUR CONVENTION IN LAS VEGAS AND HE WON THE ELECTION. STRANGELY ENOUGH, WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND. HE RETIRED FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, MOVED TO WASHINGTON WITH HIS FAMILY AND IN JUST ONE 2 YEAR TERM IN OFFICE AS  SECRETARY/TREASURER, HE WAS VOTED OUT OF OFFICE. THIS COMING FEBRUARY, THIS UNION WILL CELEBRATE ITS 30TH ANNIVERSARY IN THE AFL-CIO. I WILL BE COMPLETING 58 YEARS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT UNION ACTIVITY . WITH ALL  ITS UPS AND DOWNS I DOUBT IF I WOULD TRADE ONE DAY OF IT WITH MY INVOLVEMENT IN THE I.C.P.A. AND THE I.U.P.A.. AS I HAVE BEEN AFFORDED MANY OPPORTUNITIES THAT VERY FEW OF US HAVE EXPERIENCED. MET WITH 4 PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES AT THE WHITE HOUSE, FLEW ON OLD AIR FORCE ONE, MET WITH ALMOST EVERY MEMBER OF CONGRESS AND SENATE. HELPED TO SEE THE PASSAGE OF 5 MAJOR BILLS TO BECOME LAW ALL WITHIN THE TIME OF THE 10 YEARS I WAS THE EXECUTIVE OF THE I.C.P.A. AND THE FIRST SECRETARY/TREASURER OF THIS GREAT UNION. AS THE LAST SURVIVOR OF THE ORIGINAL FOUNDERS OF THIS UNION, I WISH TO THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO GIVE YOU SOME INSIGHT  ON THIS RATHER LEGETY FACTUAL REPORT WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF MY OWN P.B.A. AND THE COUNTLESS

POLICE UNION LEADERS WHOM I MET OVER THE YEARS, NONE OF WHAT I HAVE REPORTED COULD HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE. TO SAM, DEEK AND TIM, I WISH TO CONGRATULATE THEM AND THE EXECUTIVE BOARD ON THEIR ELECTION AND THANK THEM FOR THE MANY COURTIES THEY HAVE EXTENDED TO ME OVER THE PAST 28 YEARS AND FOR THIS HIGH HONOR OF BEING DESIGNATED SECRETARY/TREASURER EMERITUS. ITS AN HONOR I WILL CHERISH FOREVER.

THANK YOU ……..Robert D. Gordon

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Police Week in Washington D.C.  

I attended the 15th Annual Top Cops Award Dinner sponsored by NAPO.  I was honored at the Chairman’s Dinner seated at the head table.  Chairman Craig Floyd, Executive Director of the Police Memorial announced that the United Federation of Police Officers, Inc., was the longest serving member and charter member of the Memorial 26 years.  I was deeply moved by his announcement in front of more than 300 invited guests.  I had the honor of being seated next to the Majority Leader of the United States House of Representatives Congressman Steny Hoyer whom I have known personally for close to 26 years a “true friend of Police Officers”.

While at the Candle Light Ceremony I met Officer Sean O’Mally, a Police Officer in Ireland he stated that the Police just had legislation signed into law creating a Police Memorial for those officers killed in the line of duty.  He must have been impressed with the information I provided him regarding our Memorial in Washington D.C. due to the fact he presented me with cuff links which I want you to have as a life long Irish American.  The inscription on the cuff links state “Garda Siochana” Police Officers of Ireland.

I would guesstimate that over 25,000 people attended the services this Police Week.

Report from Bob Gordon Secretary/Treasurer

United Federation of Special Police and 

Security Officers, Inc.

 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

National Police Week was truly remarkable for many reasons.  I will provide a detailed account shortly.  However, I wanted to highlight a significant milestone that was achieved last week on May 15.  While thousands of us were gathered at the U.S. Capitol for the Peace Officers Memorial Day ceremony, the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts was granting us final approval on the design for the National Law Enforcement Museum!  To put this major milestone in some perspective, this review process started more than five years ago!  A press release with the particulars is below.  Please feel free to share this information with anyone else you think might be interested.

Kudos to our architectural team led by Davis Buckley, and to our project manager Tom Gallagher for spearheading this very successful effort.  One more box we can now check off.

All the best,

Craig W. Floyd

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund

703-901-6867 (cell) - 202-737-3405 (fax)

www.nleomf.org

 Help Build the National Law Enforcement Museum

www.LawEnforcementMuseum.org - 866-446-NLEM (446-6536)

U.S. COMMISSION OF FINE ARTS GIVES FINAL DESIGN APPROVAL TO FIRST-EVER NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT MUSEUM
Unanimous vote moves world-class Museum project one step closer to scheduled 2011 opening in Washington, DC

WASHINGTON, D.C.The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) has given its final stamp of approval to the first-ever, Congressionally authorized national museum dedicated to American law enforcement, which is scheduled to open in the nation's capital in 2011.

At its May 15 meeting, the Commission voted unanimously to give final design approval for the National Law Enforcement Museum, which will be located adjacent to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC's historic Judiciary Square. Last June, the CFA gave preliminary design approval for the Museum.

"The Commission of Fine Arts has thoroughly reviewed every aspect of our Museum design, and we are very pleased that the Commissioners have consistently recognized both the cultural and architectural merits of this project," said Craig W. Floyd, chairman and CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, which is leading the effort to build the Museum. "This decision moves us one important step closer to creating a world-class museum dedicated to law enforcement right here in our nation's capital," he added.

The CFA was established in 1910 to meet the growing need for a permanent body to advise the federal government on matters pertaining to the arts and, in particular, to guide the architectural development of Washington, DC. The seven-member Commission is chaired by Earl A. Powell III, director of the National Gallery of Art since 1992.

In addition, the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) approved the Museum's concept design in April 2007; final approval of the project by the NCPC is expected this summer.

Authorized by Congress in the year 2000, the National Law Enforcement Museum will be a 95,000 square foot, mostly underground museum located in the 400 block of E Street, NW. When it opens in 2011, the Museum will provide an estimated 600,000 visitors a year with a comprehensive and compelling look at law enforcement in the United States. The Museum will feature high-tech, interactive exhibitions, interesting historical and contemporary artifacts, a research center and extensive educational programming.

The Museum is designed by Davis Buckley Architects and Planners of Washington, DC, the firm that also designed the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Dedicated in 1991, the Memorial now contains the names of 18,274 law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty throughout U.S. history. The Museum's exhibitions, which include four permanent galleries and one changing exhibitions gallery, are being designed by Christopher Chadbourne & Associates of Boston, whose work includes the Mount Vernon Museum and Education Center and the National Museum of the Marine Corps.

The privately funded National Law Enforcement Museum has launched an $80 million capital campaign, with more than $35 million raised to date. For more information about the Museum, including a virtual tour, visit www.LawEnforcementMuseum.org.

 

# # #

 

NOTE: Take a Virtual Tour of the NLEM.

To download NLEOMF banners, graphics and photos and to find important NLEOMF facts, please go to our online Media Center.

To schedule an interview with NLEOMF Chairman Craig W. Floyd, contact Kevin Morison at kevin@nleomf.org.

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