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.
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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 …
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The Shadow Budget Comes to Light
The shadow budget is coming into the light in an unlikely way this…
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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…
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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
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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
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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…
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‘Stuck in My Union’
Shalea Oliver is suing her union, because "No Pennsylvanian should have his or her rights ignored."…
Commentary
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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…
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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…
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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
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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?