The Independent Police Union (NPA) informs that the union’s website is currently being updated. In the near future, up-to-date information about the union’s activities, news, and police officers’ rights and guarantees will be available here.
Validity of the collective agreement between NPA and the State Police
NPA informs that the collective agreement between NPA and the State Police, signed on 19 October 2006, is still in force, despite the State Police’s claims to the contrary.
In accordance with Articles 19 and 20 of the Labour Law, the provisions of a collective agreement:
- remain in force automatically if no new collective agreement has been concluded;
- continue to be binding on the parties even after the original term has expired;
- cannot be terminated unilaterally.
Since no new collective agreement has been concluded, the 2006 agreement continues to be fully applicable.
Full text of the collective agreement (PDF):
📄 Open the NPA–State Police collective agreement (2006, PDF)
Police officers and trade unions
Police officers, including officials with special service ranks, have the right to join trade unions and to be represented by them in employment, social and legal matters.
ILO Convention No. 98 allows exceptions for certain state structures, however Latvia has not introduced restrictions on police officers’ right to join a trade union. Therefore, the rights and guarantees provided by the collective agreement apply both to employees working under employment contracts and to officials with special service ranks.
Disciplinary practice
The State Police is obliged to follow a certain disciplinary practice, which includes:
- the involvement of a trade union representative in disciplinary proceedings concerning officials with special service ranks;
- compliance with the procedures laid down in the collective agreement and laws before any sanctions are applied;
- the possibility to challenge any actions that do not comply with the collective agreement or are not coordinated with the trade union.
NPA emphasises that police officers have the right to legally correct, transparent and law-compliant treatment in employment and disciplinary matters.