Four Texas Associations Announce Affiliations with NCPSO/CWA

April 20, 2005

Four Texas groups recently announced their affiliation with NCPSO/CWA – the El Paso Municipal POA (Local 6912), the San Antonio POA (Local 6913), the Austin/Travis County EMS Employees Association (Local 6914), and the Austin Police Association (Local 6915). These Associations affiliated for a variety of reasons, including access to CWA's acclaimed Research Division for assistance in evaluating city budgets; training programs on such topics as contract negotiations, contract enforcement, and effective leadership; assistance in developing strategic plans; and improved participation with CWA at the local and national level.

Immediately following its affiliation, the San Antonio POA worked with NCPSO/CWA Director John Burpo and CLEAT General Counsel John Curtis on setting up and conducting a grievance training program for the Association's Board of Directors. The daylong program included segments on the duty of fair representation, what constitutes a grievance, how to write and negotiate a grievance, disciplinary rights, and the arbitration process. "This training has been needed for a long time," SAPOA President Teddy Stewart said. "Our Board needs to know what their role is in this process and how to successfully assist officers."

El Paso Municipal POA Vice-President and NCPSO/CWA Legislative Committee member Dean Kinder noted that one of the important services provided by NCPSO/CWA is its legislative presence in Washington, DC. "Our national Police Officers Bill of Rights Bill will have a significant effect on the internal affairs rights of police officers in many southern and southwestern states, including Texas, that do not have effective protections when they are being investigated."