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
Criminal Justice Reform
Audio: Guilty Until Proven Innocent?
In Pennsylvania, civil asset forfeiture laws allow law enforcement agents to legally seize property without convicting an individual of a crime. These laws turn justice on its head, allowing police…
Media
Read More: Audio: Guilty Until Proven Innocent?Government Accountability
Three Reforms that Transcend Party Lines
Budget gridlock is hamstringing Harrisburg, but when it comes to transparency and accountability, a bipartisan majority of Pennsylvanians support three key reforms. Paycheck protection, transparency in government union contract negotiations,…
Media
Read More: Three Reforms that Transcend Party LinesEducation
Time to Send “Ghost Teachers” Back to the Future
As 1980s movie buffs know, today—Oct 21, 2015—is the day Marty McFly and Doc Brown traveled forward in time in the Back to the Future films. Back to the Future predicted…
Media
Read More: Time to Send “Ghost Teachers” Back to the FutureEducation
Bill Would Send Ghost Teachers Back to School
Bill Would Send Ghost Teachers Back to School Ends Abuse of Union Work on School Time in Pittsburgh & Phila. October 20, 2015, HARRISBURG, Pa.—With Halloween quickly…
Press Release
Read More: Bill Would Send Ghost Teachers Back to SchoolGovernment Accountability
The Last to Know
Last week the Crestwood Area School Board tentatively agreed to a new contract with the school district’s local union leadership. In keeping with the prevailing trend across the…
Media
Read More: The Last to KnowGovernment Accountability
Taxpayers Deserve a Debate
A dispute in the Scranton School District over the cost of a teachers’ contract is another example of why the collective bargaining process must become more transparent. According to the…
Media
Read More: Taxpayers Deserve a DebatePublic Union Democracy
State Senate Champions Political Fairness with Paycheck Protection
Contact: Gina Diorio, 862-703-6670, gld@comfdnprod.wpengine.com State Senate Champions Political Fairness with Paycheck Protection Two-Thirds of Likely Voters Want to End Gov. Union Political Privilege October 14, 2015, HARRISBURG,…
Press Release
Read More: State Senate Champions Political Fairness with Paycheck ProtectionPublic Union Democracy
Paycheck Protection Passes Senate
Today, the Pennsylvania Senate passed paycheck protection (SB 501) by a 26-23 vote. The bill will now move to the House. You can view the roll call vote…
Media
Read More: Paycheck Protection Passes SenateGovernment Accountability
Poll: Large Majorities Back Transparency & Accountability Reforms
Poll: Large Majorities in PA Back Transparency & Accountability Reforms Paycheck Protection, Contract Transparency, Spending Limits Get High Marks October 13, 2015, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Critical transparency and accountability measures…
Press Release
Read More: Poll: Large Majorities Back Transparency & Accountability ReformsGovernment Accountability
Secret Contract Leaves Taxpayers in the Dark
In a special Friday night voting session, board members in Monessen School District unanimously approved a new teachers’ contract, which runs through 2018. The terms of the contract, including…
Media
Read More: Secret Contract Leaves Taxpayers in the DarkPublic Union Democracy
Bringing Democracy to Pennsylvania Labor Unions
Government unions play a large role in influencing public spending and policies at the state and local level, but they are surprisingly undemocratic within their own organizations. The practice of…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Bringing Democracy to Pennsylvania Labor UnionsPublic Union Democracy
One woman’s quest to free teachers
Rebecca Friedrichs never understood her union. As a new teacher, Friedrichs noticed a teacher in the classroom next to hers was abusive towards her students. When Friedrichs tried to…
Media
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Audio: Protecting Teachers’ Rights and Paychecks
Teacher unions are taking money from teachers to fund political causes they do not support. Through Free to Teach, teachers like James Williams and Linda Misja are speaking…
Media
Read More: Audio: Protecting Teachers’ Rights and PaychecksEducation
Cosigned: Amicus Brief Says SCOTUS Must Restore Teachers’ Rights
Cosigned: Amicus Brief Says SCOTUS Must Restore Teachers’ Rights Friedrichs Case Critical to Restoring PA Teachers’ Freedoms September 16, 2015, Harrisburg, Pa.—For Pennsylvania teachers and other public…
Press Release
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Young Teachers Pay the Price for Pension Politics
The first month of a new school year is an exciting—but stressful—time for school teachers. This is particularly true for young, newly-hired teachers who must quickly acclimate to their students,…
Media
Read More: Young Teachers Pay the Price for Pension PoliticsPublic Union Democracy
Setting the Record Straight on Pensions
Government union leaders argue against meaningful pension reform with radical rallying cries like, “Your pension is under attack!” and mounds of other misinformation. Here's a quick fact check on some…
Media
Read More: Setting the Record Straight on PensionsPublic Union Democracy
Union Dues are Used for Politics (and Members Don’t Know It)
Yesterday's blog post and infographic noted how union dues from Pennsylvania teachers and state workers fund political ads from America Works USA. In response, on both Twitter…
Media
Read More: Union Dues are Used for Politics (and Members Don’t Know It)Public Union Democracy
Unions Must Answer for Pension Hypocrisy
Would you believe the most vocal opponents to public pension reform—Pennsylvania’s largest government unions—have actually implemented the very kind of reform they are fighting against?…
Commentary
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A Day in the Life of a Union Dollar
Contact: Gina Diorio, 862-703-6670, gld@comfdnprod.wpengine.com A Day in the Life of a Union Dollar Does Most PSEA Spending Support Teachers? Think Again. September 3, 2015, Harrisburg, Pa.—James…
Press Release
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Pa. Teachers Exit Unions, Reclaim Freedom
Contact: Gina Diorio, 862-703-6670, gld@comfdnprod.wpengine.com Pa. Teachers Exit Unions, Reclaim Freedom Coercive Unionism in Pa. School Districts Drives Teachers to Find Alternatives September 1, 2015, Harrisburg, Pa.—On the…
Press Release
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Putting Students First in Chester Upland
Although Gov. Tom Wolf’s recent actions have thrown Chester Upland School District into a state of turmoil, local unions in the district are rising above politics and…
Media
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