The Public Employee Union Scam

Capitol Confidential ^ | 8/25/2010 | Jarrett Skorup

[MichCapCon]

In the 1960s, many states began chipping away at the wall of separation between unions and public workers. In 1965, the Michigan Legislature revised the Public Employment Relations Act (PERA) to establish mandatory collective bargaining and exclusive representation for state and municipal government workers. This has caused the number of public-sector union employees to skyrocket.

A conflict of interest would be as follows: First, government union elects politician by funding their campaign and organizing a massive get-out-the-vote drive; second, politician supports employee pay increases, generous pensions and condition of employment; third, union takes dues (read: taxpayer money) and starts the cycle all over again for selected politician.

At both the state and national level, public-sector union support for many Democrats has been well documented. One of the largest public sector unions in the country, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) has given over $40 million to politicians since 1990; with more than 98 percent of that going to Democrats. The SEIU, AFL-CIO and United Steel Workers have all promised big help in the coming election. In return, the Democratic Party has voted nearly lockstep with these union's demands.

But political cronyism knows no party lines and many Republicans have been guilty as well...

[catman67]

Unionization shoould be forbidden for all civil service employees as it is for the military. It is a clear conflict of interest.

[MrMarbles]

Yes, it is a conflict of interest. These people are working for us, but they want the union to fight us (their bosses)to make outrageous pay and benefits. It is bankrupting all levels of government.