This bill sets a basic floor of workplace rights for public safety officers—police, firefighters, and EMS—who work for state and local governments. It says these workers can choose a union, negotiate over pay, hours, and working conditions, and have written contracts; if talks stall, a neutral decision‑maker can settle the contract. In states that don’t already offer similar or stronger rights, a federal labor agency would issue rules, run union elections, and handle complaints; states that already meet or exceed these protections keep their own systems .

The bill bans strikes, lockouts, slowdowns, or sickouts that would disrupt emergency services, but it doesn’t override any state strike laws. It keeps state right‑to‑work laws, lets states exempt very small local governments, and leaves existing union agreements in place.

• Who is affected: Public safety officers for states and local governments, including police, firefighters, and EMS personnel.
• What changes: Employers must recognize a union chosen by a majority, bargain over pay, hours, and working conditions, and put deals in writing; disputes can be settled by a neutral decision‑maker; a federal agency can enforce the rules and run elections; strikes that disrupt emergency services are banned .
• When: Within 180 days of enactment, the federal agency reviews each state’s laws; within 1 year, it issues regulations for states that fall short; in those states, federal procedures start later of 2 years after enactment or after the state’s next regular legislative session ends .