The Senate is planning to begin floor action tomorrow on the minimum staffing legislation opposed by the League and its members. Senate Bill 1167 is the same as the House minimum staffing bill, HB 4688.

We need all members to contact their state senator and encourage them to oppose Senate Bill 1167.

As a reminder, this legislation will make minimum staffing levels in local governments a mandatory subject of collective bargaining for all PA 312 employees, which could be devastating for communities. Our issues with the bill:

• Discussions on minimum staffing will inevitably end up in arbitration creating increased risk to a municipality’s financial security.
• The creation of a minimum staffing level mandate will do nothing to help our communities find and fill open positions.
• The legislation does not clearly define minimum staffing. Is this as a department, per shift, or something else? The lack of clarity further complicates the issue.

The League opposed this bill in Senate Labor Committee, but not because we feel the topic isn’t worth discussing. We opposed because the legislation places unfair expectations and burdens on local governments through no fault of their own.

Again, we ask that you act by reaching out to your state senator to request they oppose HB SB 1167.

Dave Hodgkins is a legislative associate with the League. He may be reached at [email protected]