Public Union Democracy
Government Union Political Spending in the 2021–22 Election Cycle
Key Points Government unions are a top interest group in Pennsylvania, spending more than $190 million on politics since 2007. Government union political action committee (PAC) spending continues to increase,…
Read More: Government Union Political Spending in the 2021–22 Election CyclePennsylvania 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
Government Unions One Year after Janus v. AFSCME
One year after Janus unions lost significant fee-based revenue, fee-payers largely remain non-union, and existing members—frequently unaware of the ruling or restricted from resigning—often maintain membership…
Memo
Read More: Government Unions One Year after Janus v. AFSCMEPublic Union Democracy
Are Unions Preparing to Charge Fair Share Fees Once Again?
It’s been one year since Janus v. AFSCME overturned 40 years of government labor precedent. Now, public employees who decide not to join their workplace union are no longer forced…
Media
Read More: Are Unions Preparing to Charge Fair Share Fees Once Again?Public Union Democracy
Pa. Union Membership Declines Post-Janus
In the year following Janus v. AFSCME, which stopped unions from charging nonmembers “fair share fees,” a central question emerged: how would this ruling impact total union membership? Official reports…
Media
Read More: Pa. Union Membership Declines Post-JanusGovernment Accountability
Budget Earmarks: Sneaky and Unconstitutional
A wise buyer should always read the fine print, but it isn’t easy. Documents like cell phone contracts and software user agreements can be hard to read, often by design. The dense language…
Media
Read More: Budget Earmarks: Sneaky and UnconstitutionalGovernment Accountability
A Look Inside New Government Union Contracts
Government union leaders recently reached multi-year contract agreement with the Wolf Administration, including 18% compensation increases over four years. Even though taxpayers foot the bill, they are still waiting to know…
Media
Read More: A Look Inside New Government Union ContractsPublic Union Democracy
Respecting Workers’ Rights
Do you really have liberty if it is not legally protected? Five Pennsylvanian corrections officers likely asked themselves that question when their union, the Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association…
Media
Read More: Respecting Workers’ RightsPublic Union Democracy
Do Teachers Know About Their Rights?
A year after the path-changing Janus v. AFSCME decision that freed 5 million American government workers from having to pay union fees, there hasn’t been the exodus of union members…
Media
Read More: Do Teachers Know About Their Rights?Education
Wolf’s Actions Speak Louder Than Words
Governor Wolf talks the talk. In his 2018 budget address, he called for ensuring “your zip code doesn’t determine what kind of education you can get.” In his …
Media
Read More: Wolf’s Actions Speak Louder Than WordsGovernment Accountability
The Shadow Budget Comes to Light
The shadow budget is coming into the light in an unlikely way this…
Media
Read More: The Shadow Budget Comes to LightGovernment Accountability
Transparency Deferred During Union Contract Negotiations
Public dollars, secrecy, and politics should never mix. Yet, it’s a disturbingly common practice in Pennsylvania as public officials negotiate costly government employee contracts with their campaign donors—behind closed…
Media
Read More: Transparency Deferred During Union Contract NegotiationsPublic Union Democracy
Employee Rights Notification Becomes Imperative Following New Court Ruling
Laws contradicting U.S. Supreme Court decisions should be removed from the books, or at least that’s what Pennsylvania teachers Greg Hartnett, Elizabeth Galaska, Rob Brough, and John Cress rationally argued…
Media
Read More: Employee Rights Notification Becomes Imperative Following New Court RulingPublic Union Democracy
Pa. Attorney General Agrees: Workers Should Know Their Rights
Attorney General Josh Shapiro recently demonstrated why Pennsylvania government workers need the Employee Rights Notification Act (House Bill 785 and Senate Bill 371). In a tweet, Shapiro…
Media
Read More: Pa. Attorney General Agrees: Workers Should Know Their RightsGovernment Accountability
Union Medicaid Dues Skimming Scheme Finally Ends
Six years ago, Pam Harris fought in court to keep her disabled son at home. A portion of her limited caregiver stipend was being funneled to union she never…
Media
Read More: Union Medicaid Dues Skimming Scheme Finally EndsPublic 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 Up