The War Against Public Unions
In 2011, “there will be real pushback against public unions,” Richard Epstein recently predicted.
In his column today in the Wall Street Journal, Bill McGurn concurs. And the predominant source of this pushback, Bill argues, will be none other than the private-sector unions.
In theory, of course, organized labor is all about fraternal solidarity…
Suddenly, it's a different world. In this recession, for example, construction workers are suffering from unemployment levels roughly double the national rate, according to a recent analysis of federal jobs data by the Associated General Contractors of America. They are relearning, the hard way, that without a growing economy, all the labor-friendly laws and regulations in the world won't keep them working.
[...]
These days the two types of worker inhabit two very different worlds. In the private sector, union workers increasingly pay for more of their own health care, and they have defined contribution pension plans such as 401(k)s. In this they have something fundamental in common even with the fat cats on Wall Street: Both need their companies to succeed.
By contrast, government unions use their political clout to elect those who set their pay: the politicians. In exchange, these unions are rewarded with contracts whose pension and health-care provisions now threaten many municipalities and states with bankruptcy. In response to the crisis, government unions demand more and higher taxes. Which of course makes people who have money less inclined to look to those states to make the investments that create jobs for, say, iron workers, electricians and construction workers.
Now flip to today’s issue of the New York Times, which also notes the pushback against public employees unions. But who does the Times declare to be responsible for the war against public unions? Not private-sector unions, but pro-corporation, anti-labor Republicans who, the Times contends, are also intent on crushing private sector unions while they're at it.
[I]n states with Republican governors and Republican statehouse majorities — officials are seeking more far-reaching, structural changes that would weaken the bargaining power and political influence of unions, including private sector ones.
For example, Republican lawmakers in Indiana, Maine, Missouri and seven other states plan to introduce legislation that would bar private sector unions from forcing workers they represent to pay dues or fees, reducing the flow of funds into union treasuries. In Ohio, the new Republican governor, following the precedent of many other states, wants to ban strikes by public school teachers...
[L]abor leaders view these efforts as political retaliation by Republicans upset that unions recently spent more than $200 million to defeat Republican candidates.
“I see this as payback for the role we played in the 2010 elections,” said Gerald W. McEntee, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the main union of state employees. Mr. McEntee said in October that his union was spending more than $90 million on the campaign, largely to help Democrats.
“Now there’s a bull’s-eye on our back, and they’re out to inflict pain,” he said…
Whether it be private-sector unions, or Republican politicians or both working in tandem to curb the destructive influence of public unions, Richard’s prediction is very likely to come to fruition over the course of the new year.
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Dec '10
Re: The War Against Public Unions
As a member of a private sector union (the Writers Guild of America), Rob Long has a good perspective on the limits of fraternal solidarity. We aren't living in the days when (as my father, a teachers' union local president used to do) union officials sit around smoking cigars, drinking beer and singing choruses of "Union Maid" and "Joe Hill." (By the way, Stephen King named a son after Joe Hill -- which kind of tells you that he's indeed stuck back in those days.)
Union leaders aren't so much interested these days in the welfare of their members per se as they are in the political processes that promise to yield them more members in the future. The California Nurses Association, my wife's union, is great at getting nurses good pay and benefits, mainly because nurses remain in short supply at present, but it really excels at participating in the electoral process -- working for or against ballot initiatives and political candidates. One wonders exactly what the CNA's interest is in promoting State spending, but there's no denying that they use their members' dues effectively to defend that spending.
Dec '10
Re: The War Against Public Unions
Don't closed shop unions violate the First Amendment? (Freedom of association)
Well, I know they don't based on the method we have of determining these things (whatever some judge says rather than logic and reason) but still...
May '10
Re: The War Against Public Unions
These days I'm not sure it particularly matters whether private sector unions go away or not, as their influence, outside of a few select areas, is so minimal.
I'm delighted to see the public waking up to the impact of public sector unions. I've been amazed to hear a number of different very liberal people go on at length about the evils of teachers' unions and the like.
Hmm, you've re-awakened memories of my union organizing days which might deserve a post...
Dec '10
Re: The War Against Public Unions
AmishDude: Don't closed shop unions violate the First Amendment? (Freedom of association)
Well, I know they don't based on the method we have of determining these things (whatever some judge says rather than logic and reason) but still... · Jan 4 at 6:03pm
The way closed-shop laws get around the First Amendment concern is to allow employees to opt out of full union membership if they agree to pay the "collective bargaining cost" of their representation. So you're not forced to JOIN a union, but you're forced to PAY FOR a union (minus the part of the union dues that go to the union's administrative activities).
The tougher battle is for union members to get the union to let them opt out of the union's political activities and the costs thereof.
Jul '10
Re: The War Against Public Unions
I keep thinking what a good Republican campaign issue it would be to call for a freeze on public employee wages for, say, five years to let everybody else catch up. A reduction in fringe benefits would be icing on the electoral cake.
May '10
Re: The War Against Public Unions
Diane Ellis, Ed.:
"Yeah!! Republicans are evil because we spend all of our members dues to defeat them, and when they win anyway, they have the nerve to try to stop us!! They're soooo greedy!"
All I have to say is payback's a B-I-T-C....
Jan '11
Re: The War Against Public Unions
Be prepared for the "progressive" canard:
"Republicans hate unions and workers!"
It's all the Democrats ever have, indicting their opponents for the venom that actually exists in the "progressive" soul. You cannot be on the Left unless you despise the Right.
Chris Christie has tapped into the real way the electorate looks at public sector unionism now.
Not - "We hate you!"
Rather - "Who the hell do you think you are?"
Explain that to your friends, family and co-workers.
May '10
Re: The War Against Public Unions
I'd agree, but for the radical leftists on the National Labor Relations Board - imagine union bosses writing the laws guiding collective bargaining, and that's basically what we've got. Combine this with all the rumbling about the UAW spending millions to push for unionizing foreign auto manufacturers' American plants, and private unions are looking less marginalized than they ought to.
To both praise Governor-elect Kasich and toot my own horn, I wrote back in November about an attack on public unions in Ohio that's necessary and may actually happen. With luck, the hapless "centrists" in the Ohio GOP won't snatch defeat from victory's jaws!
Re: The War Against Public Unions
Maurilius: These days I'm not sure it particularly matters whether private sector unions go away or not, as their influence, outside of a few select areas, is so minimal.
I'm delighted to see the public waking up to the impact of public sector unions. I've been amazed to hear a number of different very liberal people go on at length about the evils of teachers' unions and the like.
Hmm, you've re-awakened memories of my union organizing days which might deserve a post... · Jan 4 at 6:24pm
I continually read about the public waking up, and I'm hopeful that it's true, but I was so disappointed that Prop. B failed here in San Francisco (and by such a huge margin!) this past November. The measure made so much sense, and I was optimistic that it had a chance, even here in our wacky city. But in the end it seemed as though folks were fooled by the public unions' spurious arguments about how it would "hurt working families." Thoughts, fellow San Franciscan?
May '10
Re: The War Against Public Unions
Agreed, with more emphasis on the fringe benefits. As a public employee (go Bucks!) I love my benefits but realize everyone's got to make sacrifices. If that means paying a bit more for my insurance, fine by me.
Trouble is, Republicans will be demonized by unions who hold up police and fire and won't talk about grossly overpaid paper-pushers. The GOP needs to communicate that civil service laws cover all the things unions swear (dishonestly, in Ohio at least) only unionization can provide, and where necessary the GOP must draw distinctions between different types of public worker.
Dec '10
Re: The War Against Public Unions
IMO, public sector unions should be outlawed.
Aug '10
Re: The War Against Public Unions
Just say - privatize it ! Subcontract it ! Outsource it !
Sep '10
Re: The War Against Public Unions
I am surprised each time I read something about the public waking up. The public has been waked up for more than a decade, now they’re fed up. No conservative, FDR was opposed collective bargaining rights for public services unions and had the back bone to actively oppose it. It is too bad a pseudo-conservative GOP cannot find the same amount courage. Unlike most on Ricochet I do not see much change coming this year. We still have two big government, big spending, and big deficits parties pretending to be responsible in Washington. The recent tax bill is evidence of this and the GOP cave on the debt ceiling will be the next chapter in an all too familiar story.
May '10
Re: The War Against Public Unions
Diane Ellis, Ed.
...I was so disappointed that Prop. B failed here in San Francisco (and by such a huge margin!) this past November. The measure made so much sense, and I was optimistic that it had a chance, even here in our wacky city. But in the end it seemed as though folks were fooled by the public unions' spurious arguments about how it would "hurt working families." Thoughts, fellow San Franciscan?
It was sorta complicated, and the mayor had a point that it would probably enmesh the City in lawsuits...
Elsbernd's Proposition G -- attacking Muni unions -- passed big-time (Muni unions in SF are about as popular as teacher's unions everywhere else right now), so I think that's a very positive sign on the overall question of public sentiment...