Public Union Democracy
Unions should be about employees, not about politics
Originally published at The Hill “I’ll be honest with you,” said Teamsters President Sean O’Brien in a recent podcast interview. “I’m a Democrat, but they have f—ed…
Read More: Unions should be about employees, not about politicsPennsylvania will only become a beacon for opportunity when its policies are in the hands of taxpayers and citizens, not special interests and bureaucrats. It’s vital that our government is accountable to the people—not organizations or institutions. Policies that advance transparency and restore workers’ rights are the keys to this happening.
Related Issues
Public Union Democracy
Gov. Unions: Pennsylvania’s Biggest Political Spenders
We all know that government unions are big players in American politics. However, new research gives us some perspective on just how big they play. According to an analysis by…
Media
Read More: Gov. Unions: Pennsylvania’s Biggest Political SpendersPublic Union Democracy
‘Stuck in My Union’
Shalea Oliver is suing her union, because "No Pennsylvanian should have his or her rights ignored."…
Commentary
Read More: ‘Stuck in My Union’Public Union Democracy
Guest Post: Shattering Myths About Government Unions
As a former public school teacher, I can tell you: plenty of false messages circulate about union membership. Is union membership required? Why do government employees belong to unions and…
Media
Read More: Guest Post: Shattering Myths About Government UnionsCriminal Justice Reform
Fighting Poverty can be a Bipartisan Effort
Here's a letter I submitted to the Philadelphia Daily News on how Pennsylvanians of any ideology can share good intent, and work toward a common goal. I was disappointed…
Media
Read More: Fighting Poverty can be a Bipartisan EffortPublic Union Democracy
The Facts about Pa.’s Employee Rights Notification Act
The Employee Rights Notification Act (HB 785) is exactly what its name suggests: notifying employees of their existing rights. So what are these rights, and why must workers be…
Media
Read More: The Facts about Pa.’s Employee Rights Notification ActPublic Union Democracy
For Union Members, Knowledge is Power
Francisco Molina is standing up for himself and other public workers because he believes everyone deserves the opportunity to know and act on their rights. That’s the kind of bedrock…
Commentary
Read More: For Union Members, Knowledge is PowerPublic Union Democracy
PSEA Flouts SCOTUS Ruling, Bargains for Unconstitutional ‘Fair Share’ Fees in Teacher Contracts
In open disregard for the U.S. Supreme Court’s Janus v. AFSCME decision, the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) is bargaining to impose “fair share” fees on non-union member teachers in…
Press Release
Read More: PSEA Flouts SCOTUS Ruling, Bargains for Unconstitutional ‘Fair Share’ Fees in Teacher ContractsPublic Union Democracy
Lawsuits by Trapped Union Members Piling Up
Curtis Thompson loves his school, his district, and helping students succeed. He considers his job as an education aide for at-risk students in the Cumberland Valley School District “an opportunity to…
Media
Read More: Lawsuits by Trapped Union Members Piling UpPublic Union Democracy
Restoring Government Workers’ Resignation Rights
Pennsylvania government workers are no longer forced to pay union fees to keep their jobs—but government and union leaders are imposing roadblocks to exercising their rights. Here's how legislators can help.
Memo
Read More: Restoring Government Workers’ Resignation RightsPublic Union Democracy
HB 785: Transparency or Deception
Yesterday, the House Labor Committee voted to advance HB 785, the Employee Rights Notification Act. Unfortunately, this innocuous proposal became a partisan issue, with the vote falling along party lines.
Media
Read More: HB 785: Transparency or DeceptionPublic Union Democracy
Employee Rights Notification Bill Passes House Committee
Today, the House Labor and Industry Committee passed the employee rights notification bill, HB 785. Sponsored by Rep. Kate Klunk (R-Hanover), this legislation ensures public employees can make informed…
Media
Read More: Employee Rights Notification Bill Passes House CommitteePublic Union Democracy
Union Leader Lies Prove Need for Notification
“It is a condition of employment with this company that you become a member in good standing with Local 1776.” That’s UFCW president Wendell Young, IV, writing to John Kabler…
Media
Read More: Union Leader Lies Prove Need for NotificationPublic Union Democracy
UFCW Lies, Forcing Workers to Join
“I absolutely love my job, I love the people I work with, I love the customers. Everything about it is magnificent, except one thing.” That one…
Media
Read More: UFCW Lies, Forcing Workers to JoinPublic Union Democracy
Unions Renew Attack on Election Privacy
The principle of secret ballot elections has existed since the second century B.C. in ancient Rome. Now, over two thousand years later, union special interests want to strip government workers…
Media
Read More: Unions Renew Attack on Election PrivacyPublic Union Democracy
Do Union Members Sign in Blood?
Flagrantly violating a U.S. Supreme Court decision, Pennsylvania government union leaders are rejecting many workers’ efforts to resign from their unions. While they’re keeping workers trapped, union officials continue siphoning…
Media
Read More: Do Union Members Sign in Blood?Public Union Democracy
Pennsylvania Lawmakers Agree: Workers Should Know their Choices
We recently highlighted our concerns that, in the name of “neutrality,” Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) Chairman Tim Holden rejected a proposal to inform state liquor store workers of…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Lawmakers Agree: Workers Should Know their ChoicesPublic Union Democracy
Despite Obstacles to Resignation, Union Rolls Decline
Imagine having to pay a middleman just to keep your job. More than 5 million government workers in America had to do just that—until last June, when the Supreme Court…
Media
Read More: Despite Obstacles to Resignation, Union Rolls DeclinePublic Union Democracy
Government Union 2018 Election Spending
Pennsylvania’s top government union political action committees spent over $12 million during the 2017-18 election cycle, making it the most expensive election cycle in the past ten years.
Fact Sheet
Read More: Government Union 2018 Election SpendingPublic Union Democracy
A Nurse Took her Union to Court, and Won
Cheryl Spano Lonis is a hard-working nurse from Hartford, Connecticut, who was trapped in her union for three years. The New England Health Care Employees Union disregarded her multiple…
Media
Read More: A Nurse Took her Union to Court, and WonPublic Union Democracy
Four Reasons to Notify Public Workers of Their Rights
Until recently, public sector employees (such as state and local government workers, teachers, and public safety officers) could be forced to pay hundreds of dollars in “fair share fees” to…
Media
Read More: Four Reasons to Notify Public Workers of Their RightsPublic Union Democracy
Why There’s “Money in Politics”
The recent public corruption indictment of John “Johnny Doc” Dougherty, leader of the IBEW 98 labor union, Philadelphia City Council member Bobby Henon, and a slew of other IBEW leaders shows…
Media
Read More: Why There’s “Money in Politics”