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
End Teacher Bullying with Paycheck Protection
As most PolicyBlog readers already know, union dues are being used for political action. Moreover, taxpayer resources are used to collect both union dues and union campaign contributions. We at…
Media
Read More: End Teacher Bullying with Paycheck ProtectionPublic Union Democracy
Triple Threat Pension Debt
At more than $50 billion in debt our pension plans for state and school workers are among the worst funded in the country. Without reform, Pennsylvanians face cuts to services, teacher layoffs, higher…
Poll
Read More: Triple Threat Pension DebtEducation
Why I Left Teaching: Union Politics
I taught science full-time for more than two decades and enjoyed a rewarding career educating a generation of public school students in Westmoreland County. I retired from teaching earlier than…
Commentary
Read More: Why I Left Teaching: Union PoliticsPublic Union Democracy
AFSCME Memo Lies About Dues & Politics
Some union leaders are bullying their members to support their political agenda. Don’t believe me? Read this: Each fair share fee payer is a sign of weakness. It tells…
Media
Read More: AFSCME Memo Lies About Dues & PoliticsPublic Union Democracy
Spreading the Paycheck Protection Message
It’s crunch time in Harrisburg. With lawmakers scheduled to break for summer recess in two weeks, the push for paycheck protection has intensified. To help spread the message of paycheck…
Media
Read More: Spreading the Paycheck Protection MessageEducation
Union Leaders’ Lobbying Hurts Teachers, Students
Last week we highlighted a California judge who ruled that laws enforcing teacher seniority and tenure were unconstitutional and violated students’ rights to a quality education. But here in…
Media
Read More: Union Leaders’ Lobbying Hurts Teachers, StudentsPublic Union Democracy
The Government Union Billion Dollar Tax Hike
In 2012, Americans paid more in taxes than they did for food, clothing and shelter combined. In Pennsylvania, residents labor under the 10th highest tax burden in the…
Media
Read More: The Government Union Billion Dollar Tax HikeEducation
Students Win over Seniority Laws
Big news out of California, where a state judge struck down that state’s teacher seniority and tenure laws. The lawsuit was filed by 9 students who believed that…
Media
Read More: Students Win over Seniority LawsPublic Union Democracy
For Union Leaders, the Law Doesn’t Apply
Pennsylvania's government union executives should be at the top of any list of political power players in Harrisburg. With the kind of influence that millions in campaign contributions and political…
Commentary
Read More: For Union Leaders, the Law Doesn’t ApplyPublic Union Democracy
CF, Teachers & Taxpayers Speak Up for Paycheck Protection
CF President Matt Brouillette, Keith Williams and Kristi Lacroix—two public school teachers—along with a host of good government and business groups testified yesterday before a House committee in favor of…
Media
Read More: CF, Teachers & Taxpayers Speak Up for Paycheck ProtectionPublic Union Democracy
Union Leaders Lie to Lawmakers
While public school teachers, taxpayer advocates and business leaders supporting paycheck protection answered pointed questions yesterday from lawmakers, government union executives refused to attend the House…
Media
Read More: Union Leaders Lie to LawmakersPublic Union Democracy
Union Executives Refuse to Answer Lawmakers’ Questions
For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-6971-1901 Union Executives Refuse to Answer Lawmakers’ Questions Provides Deceptive Testimony June 6, 2014, Philadelphia, Pa – While public…
Press Release
Read More: Union Executives Refuse to Answer Lawmakers’ QuestionsPublic Union Democracy
Paycheck Protection Hits the Airwaves
What would you do if the government spent your tax dollars to promote politics you disagreed with? In Pennsylvania, that’s exactly what’s happening, and it is the subject of our…
Media
Read More: Paycheck Protection Hits the AirwavesPublic Union Democracy
Paycheck Protection Supporters Rally at the Capitol
Yesterday, hundreds of concerned citizens packed the Capitol rotunda to voice their support for paycheck protection legislation. Watch TV reports from ABC27 and CBS21 to see the impressive…
Media
Read More: Paycheck Protection Supporters Rally at the CapitolPublic Union Democracy
The Case for Paycheck Protection
Thank you Chairman Metcalfe and members of the committee for the opportunity to testify on the policy question of whether or not Pennsylvania should continue to allow one special interest…
Testimony
Read More: The Case for Paycheck ProtectionEducation
Political Fairness Issue Goes Before Lawmakers
For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Legal Loophole Exploits Taxpayers & Union Members for Politics Paycheck Protection Promises to Restore Fairness & Accountability June 5,…
Press Release
Read More: Political Fairness Issue Goes Before LawmakersPublic Union Democracy
Capitol Rally an Outcry for Fairness: The Facts on Paycheck Protection
For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Capitol Rally Reflects Public Outcry for Fairness Lawmakers to Hear Testimony on Paycheck Protection Tomorrow June 4, 2014, Harrisburg, Pa—Today,…
Press Release
Read More: Capitol Rally an Outcry for Fairness: The Facts on Paycheck ProtectionPublic Union Democracy
Union Quietly Admits to Using Dues for Politics
Whenever we talk about how teacher and other government unions spend their members’ dues on politics, the most common reaction we hear is that simply isn’t true. Workers often hear…
Media
Read More: Union Quietly Admits to Using Dues for PoliticsEducation
Pension Reform Benefits Teachers & Taxpayers
Standard & Poor’s recently issued a stern warning that they would lower Pennsylvania’s bond rating—making it more expensive for the state to borrow money—unless they “adopt meaningful pension reform.” This…
Commentary
Read More: Pension Reform Benefits Teachers & TaxpayersPublic Union Democracy
Power Cycle Preventing Progress
In a recent Philadelphia Inquirer editorial, the paper expressed its frustration with the lack of progress on critical issues facing the commonwealth. While CF doesn’t agree that all of…
Media
Read More: Power Cycle Preventing ProgressEducation
PA Teacher Speaks Out on Union Issues
Last Wednesday, CF President Matt Brouillette guest hosted WHP580’s Ken Matthews Show in Harrisburg. Matt spent some time talking to Keith Williams, a high school English teacher from New Oxford…
Media
Read More: PA Teacher Speaks Out on Union Issues