During the 2008 elections, in the United States, widespread hype circulated among Middle-class Union workers. The hype was over legislative action that could reverse the Unions slow decline in the Private Sector (Less than 9% presence). The Employee Free Choice Act1 would allow a Union to be recognized as the bargaining agent, with an employer, if a union collected a majority of employee signatures (Signature Cards). Furthermore, the Act allowed quicker negotiations by eliminating the employers right to have a separate ballot. Another aspect of the Act assured quicker agreements between the Union and Employer. A collective agreement had to be reached at least 120 days after a Union is recognized. A final important aspect, employers would be penalized, should they discriminate against workers for their union involvement.
Just as The Employee Free Choice Act presented hope for Union expansion, the 2008 Economic Crisis presented challenges. When three of the largest Automakers sought a government bailout, politicians sought answers to why. There arose claims of, “Costly Labor Agreements,” between the workers and automakers. Much attention was placed upon employee pensions and health plans. Automakers claimed these aspects made it difficult to compete with foreign automakers.
In contrast, the United Auto Workers Union has made concessions to assist the Automakers remain competitive. For the Unions, this may have been the turning point with senatorial support. Some point out an important aspect that may indicate corporate greed and executive wages. The focal point for this thought is how Ford avoided needing a bailout. The fact is, the Workers slashed Fords annual labor costs by $500 million.2
On February 18, 2011, one day after Democratic Wisconsin Senators camped-out in Illinois to prevent voting on a bill, Gov. Walker spoke out against Collective Bargaining on Milwaukee radio. Why is the attack on Collective Bargaining? Chris Christie (R-NJ), a radical right-wing Governor, obsessed with spending cutbacks says, “He loves Collective Bargaining”.3
Many feel collective bargaining produces a fair work environment. As seen with Ford, Collective Bargaining can be favorable. In addition, there are countless negotiations where Unions have cut back to ensure the survival of their Employers. During the economic crisis, not only has UAW made reasonable cutbacks, so has numerous Unions representing Transportation Workers, News Paper and Print Publisher Employees, Not only does that show the equality of Collective Bargaining, it demonstrates the Unions are not one-sided. Is it Collective bargaining that is bad, or is it weak negotiators fighting Unions in an effort to reduce spending?
It seems the focus on the fight is being placed on rights. Collective Bargaining is a vital power aspect for Unions. The Governor eliminating that right to power on the Public Sector (The Unions strongest presence) could further diminish Union Representation in our Nation. Regardless of the definition, the fight is over power, not rights. Without the power is the open-shop. Open-shops, sometimes referred as, “Merit Shop,” allow employees to chose, as an individual, Union representation or not. Often, employees dislike paying union dues and do not want to join the Union. Most Union representatives argue Open-shops create an unfair environment for the Union Employees.
On March 2, 2011 Ohio Governor John Kasich (R-OH) made steps towards Merit over Seniority in the Public Sector. Most will agree with a Merit over Seniority measure being fair to employers. Kasich may be the Harbinger in the Power Struggle. Like Christie, Kasich does not oppose Collective Bargaining. Kasich is taking a stand against Binding Arbitration with State and Local employees. In addition, Kasich is opposing the right for Public Employees to strike. His proposal will impose a fine of two days wages for everyday on strike. In addition, Public employees violating a court injunction against a strike will face jail time and more fines. 4
States that made cuts, or made cost saving moves, towards education outnumbers those that have not made education cuts.5 States must balance their budgets, despite the economic climate. In many states, education posses a lot of burden on the community. The line in the sand does not stop with education. There are few people paying for the majority and that’s a fatal economic mix that must produce less tax dollar backed jobs or lower pay rates. There’s plenty of room for cut backs considering the pay difference between Public and Private sector pay rates.6
Make no mistake about it, the economic crisis is getting worse. The Government has provided examples of gross overspending. Now they are demonstrating the consequences, sacrifice. Despite protests, States must balance their budgets just as American households need to budget their spending. High unemployment and other factors contributing to State income make it difficult for them to balance their budgets. The American Public seems to be against Public Unions and favors Public Employees’ contributing more towards their benefits.7
The Unions will loose ground in this economic Crisis. Moreover, American Citizens must stand behind elected officials regarding cuts to Government spending, lower our taxes, and possibly create more jobs in the future, resulting from wage and benefit cuts. The Middle-class will have to adapt their personal spending to reduced wages, pensions, job security, and benefit contributions. While Unions and Collective Bargaining are important and should survive, Government expense and productivity must be improved. There are too many lazy overpaid people on the Government Payroll. Although, the few hardworking Government employees are able to tolerate their lazy co-workers, should they be paid and rewarded equally? No, like the Private sector, we need pay for performance incentives in Public jobs.
1 Wikipedia “Employee Free Choice Act - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Employee_Free_Choice_Act
2 Keith Naughton, Bloomburg “Ford May Avoid Bailout Even After First-Quarter Loss” http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=a9hCkbcM2B9U - April 23, 2009
3 Ginger Gibson/Statehouse Bureau, The Star-Ledger/NJ.com “Unlike Wisconsin Gov. Walker, N.J. Gov. Christie says he loves collective bargaining” http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/03/unlike_wisconsin_gov_scott_wal.html - March 03, 2011
4 Chris Bury, abc NEWS “Ohio Public Employee Unions Lose; Wisconsin And Indiana Democrats Seek Deals” http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/2011/03/ohio-public-employee-unions-lose-wisconsin-and-indiana-democrats-seek-deals-.html - March 02, 2011
5 Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Scribd “State-by-state education cuts” http://www.scribd.com/doc/49223580/State-by-state-education-cuts - March 3, 2011
6 CATHERINE RAMPELL, New York Times “Private vs. Public Sector Pay” http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/21/private-vs-public-sector-pay/ - December 21, 2009
7 David Freddoso, The Examineer WashingtonExaminer.com “The Freedom Fighter’s Journal: Poll indicates Most Americans Oppose Unions” http://ronbosoldier.blogspot.com/2011/03/poll-indicates-most-americans-oppose.html - March 03, 2011
