Labor Defense Group

The WACOPS Labor Defense Group (LDG) is a 501(c)5 nonprofit corporation established to perform all the functions of a labor organization in the public sector. The LDG is a voluntary program that assists guilds and associations in efforts to improve wages, hours, and working conditions. Represented by one of the most respected labor law firms in the state, Vick Julius McClure, the LDG represents employees through collective bargaining by providing negotiating, mediation, and arbitration services. Groups that choose to enroll in the LDG will have the peace of mind that comes from civil and criminal defense coverage through the PORAC Legal Defense Fund.  PORAC LDF provides legal representation to the individual member when their lawful actions as a peace officer are called into question.

Labor groups that are members of the Washington Council of Police & Sheriffs (WACOPS), and have 50 or fewer members, are eligible to enroll in the program. Participation is voluntary.

The object of the LDG is to perform all the functions of a public sector labor organization. Using a team approach leveraging the LDG consultant and legal team, the enrolled organization will have direct influence in the work and outcomes of their bargaining process. LDG will work to improve wages, hours, and working conditions of represented employees through collective bargaining. Enrolled organizations are provided professional advice, negotiations representation, arbitration and litigation representation, and other labor related services. Organizations enrolled in LDG may apply for scholarship funds to attend labor related training as well as the WACOPS general membership meetings. LDG enrollment is memorialized by a contract signed by the labor organization’s leadership and the LDG President.

The affairs of the LDG are managed by a 7-person Board of Directors. Board members are all fully commissioned law enforcement and are all members of WACOPS. The board decides the aims and means of accomplishing the purposes of the LDG, manages the finances of the organization and has authority to take all actions necessary to accomplish the mission.

The day-to-day administration of the LDG is operated by the WACOPS Executive Director or assigned staff. The labor negotiations and primary point of contact for enrolled organizations is a consultant hired by the LDG Board of Directors. The consultant serves as the contract negotiator and will handle minor discipline cases. The law firm of Vick, Julius and McClure has been retained to provide legal assistance. Enrolled organizations will communicate with the consultant, LDG Board, or WACOPS staff as appropriate. Together we will support your organization to defend your labor rights!

Groups participating in the LDG are required to be enrolled in the PORAC Legal Defense Fund, an ERISA Trust that provides legal service benefits for public safety personnel. Enrolled organizations will be added to the PORAC LDF Plan 2. The monthly fee for LDG includes the cost of PORAC Plan 2. LDG will manage the PORAC LDF enrollment database, and all LDG enrolled organizations are required to keep LDG informed of roster additions and deletions immediately. Coverage with PORAC LDF begins on the day the peace officer is added to their enrollment database. Timely communication is essential. For information about services provided by PORAC LDF please click here.

PORAC LDF has begun offering a Plan 6 (this coverage will provide an attorney for an officer notified of a decertification investigation and subsequent hearing before the Criminal Justice Training Commission). The addition of Plan 6 is allowed for LDG participating organizations. The fee for selecting that coverage will be added to the monthly LDG invoice. Plan 6 is optional, Plan 2 is not.

** Any rate change authorized by PORAC LDF for either Plan 2 or Plan 6 may be immediately passed through to LDG enrolled organizations.

$12.50 per member per month
(WACOPS Membership paid to WACOPS)

$47.00 per member per month
(Paid to LDG and includes PORAC LDF Plan 2)

The WACOPS LDG rate of $47.00 per person includes PORAC LDF Plan 2. This coverage is mandatory for all WACOPS LDG enrolled groups. If you currently have that coverage, we will work with PORAC LDF to move your account to our program.

$52.00 per member per month
(Paid to LDG and includes PORAC LDF Plan 2 and Plan 6)

While Plan 2 is required, you may elect to add PORAC LDF Plan 6 (Decertification Legal Coverage). The fee for PORAC LDF Plan 6 is $5.00 additional per member per month. All coverages are included in one invoice for WACOPS LDG services.