City leaders in Camden, N.J., who plan to fire all 273 police officers on the city’s force in favor of low-paid, nonunion mercenaries, should “learn a lesson from the NFL referee debacle,” says AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka:

Though replacement refs threatened a game we love, a replacement police force threatens lives and puts our families and communities at risk. The decision by Camden city leaders is irresponsible and unacceptable and should be rescinded immediately.

Unfathomable that Camden city leaders plan to fire entire police force & use replacements - have they not learned the lesson from the NFL?

— Richard L. Trumka (@RichardTrumka) October 3, 2012

The city plans to replace the current police force, which has collective bargaining rights, with a nonunion force made up of new hires and county officers that will be denied collective bargaining rights. The city claims its action is simply motivated by budget considerations. But the city has refused concessions offered by the police union and broken off negotiations.

Camden Fraternal Order of Police President John Williamson said: 

This is definitely a form of union-busting. This method is unproven and untested, to put your faith in an agency that doesn’t even exist.

New Jersey State AFL-CIO President Charles Wowkanech asked that “city officials reverse their decision to lay off these longstanding, experienced and dedicated police officers, who put their lives on the line every day.” He has urged parties to return to the bargaining table.

replacement refs threatened a game, a replacement police force mercenaries threatens lives and puts our families & communities at risk

— Richard L. Trumka (@RichardTrumka) October 3, 2012

Trumka says public employees such as the Camden police officers “have been scapegoated by politicians for too long.”

At the local and national level, we have to address the real causes of our very serious crisis. We need jobs. We need investment in America. We need to level the playing field to support American manufacturing, so our children can have a bright future in Camden and every other American city. And we need experienced and well-trained police officers on the job in Camden every day of the year to protect our families.