Conference of Pennsylvania College Police Lodges of the Fraternal Order of Police v. Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board

**What Happened** The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) wanted to represent campus police officers who work at Pennsylvania's state universities. The FOP filed a petition claiming these officers should have the right to collective bargaining under Act 111, a law that gives certain public safety workers bargaining rights. The question was whether campus police officers employed by the State System of Higher Education could unionize under this law. **What the Court Decided** The Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court sided against the FOP. The court ruled that the State System of Higher Education—not the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania—is the direct employer of campus police officers. Because of this employment relationship, Act 111's collective bargaining protections don't apply to these workers. The court upheld the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board's decision to dismiss the FOP's petition. **Why This Matters for Workers** This ruling shows how important the specific identity of your employer can be for your union rights. Campus police officers lost the opportunity to unionize under Act 111 simply because of who technically employs them. Workers in similar situations should understand that different employers—even within state government—may operate under different labor laws, which can significantly impact their ability to organize and bargain collectively.