VOLUNTARY RECOGNITION IN POLICE COMMANDERS’ BID TO UNIONIZE

Published on October 07, 2025

MAYOR ED GAINEY GRANTS VOLUNTARY RECOGNITION IN POLICE COMMANDERS’ BID TO UNIONIZE 

Pittsburgh, PA – Today, Mayor Ed Gainey and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police’s 12 Commanders are pleased to announce that the Administration has agreed to voluntarily recognize the commanders in their effort to form a union. 

The Commanders unanimously opted to form a union with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. This new bargaining unit would be separate and distinct from the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 1, which represents rank-and-file officers, and, if certified by the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board (PLRB), would then negotiate its own Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the City. 

“I have always maintained that workers should decide for themselves whether or not to form a union, without interference from their employer. Our police commanders have presented us with authorization cards indicating their wish to organize and I’m happy to support them,” said Mayor Gainey. 

A formal notice of the commanders’ intent to unionize will be posted in all police zones. 

“We’re pleased that the Mayor supports our effort to form a union and appreciate the administration’s partnership as we move through the process,” said Zone 1 Commander Shawn Malloy, a representative of the commanders.  

Following the posting of the notice, the Mayor’s Office and the Police Commanders will submit a joint petition to the PLRB to recognize the commanders as a collective bargaining unit. Following recognition by the PLRB, the administration and a bargaining committee representing the Commanders will begin to negotiate a CBA.

Olga George
Press Secretary
Mayor's Office
olga.george@pittsburghpa.gov
412-627-0679