I.U.P.A. Local Fort Myers Police Officers Association, #6065, along with their I.U.P.A. Attorney Bradley Rothman, have been busy since certification in May of 2022 as the bargaining agent for Fort Myers Police Department officers, sergeants, lieutenants, and telecommunication operators.  Although a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) had been settled prior to that under the former bargaining agent, the Florida PBA, the membership remained unhappy with it, and filed with the Public Employees Representation Commission (PERC) for certification with I.U.P.A.  Upon certification and joining I.U.P.A, the Local again demanded bargaining.

As a result, with overwhelming support from the membership, the Local secured a new CBA, which included a $4.40 per hour pay increase across-the-board.  In addition to bargaining success, the Local also prevailed on behalf of members in two arbitrations.  The first arbitration reversed the demotion of a sergeant.  The second arbitration reversed the termination of an officer.

Finally, the I.U.P.A. is providing legal assistance and a defense to a member who has been denied a defense by the Florida PBA, and subsequently denied sovereign immunity, for alleged events arising before certification and joining I.U.P.A.  The denial of sovereign immunity is presently on appeal in the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.