Fairness
Unions at a Crossroads: Democracy, Transparency, and Bridging Divides
Jake Altman, author of Socialism before Sanders, joins Disunion: The Government Union Report podcast host David R. Osborne to discuss labor unions and their challenges. Altman, a former union leader,…
Read More: Unions at a Crossroads: Democracy, Transparency, and Bridging DividesCompulsory public unions threaten individual worker rights and cost taxpayers billions. Reforms to the Pennsylvania Public Employee Relations Act are needed to restore and protect workers’ rights. No one—including government employees—should be blocked from leaving a union. To increase government integrity and accountability, policies should be adopted that ensure all special interests groups, including government unions, interact with the state government on a level playing field.
Government Accountability
The Call for Contract Transparency Continues
An ABC27 special investigation asks a simple question: “Would you pay a bill before you saw it?” Most people would answer with a resounding no. Yet, as the report highlights, that’s exactly…
Media
Read More: The Call for Contract Transparency ContinuesGovernment Accountability
The Ethics Reform Pa. Should Prioritize
Governor Wolf recently revealed more details of his “Citizens First” plan to reform campaign finance laws and gerrymandering practices. This follows the state Supreme Court’s controversial decision to redraw…
Media
Read More: The Ethics Reform Pa. Should PrioritizePublic Union Democracy
Pa. Government Union Politics: $114 Million Since 2007
The data affirms—government unions are among Pennsylvania’s most powerful political players. From 2007-17, the commonwealth’s top government unions spent more than $114.8 million on politics.
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Read More: Pa. Government Union Politics: $114 Million Since 2007Government Accountability
Paycheck Protection, the Ethics Reform Wolf Should Pursue
Governor Wolf unveiled today his Citizens First Ethics Plan, which should cause Pennsylvanians to wonder, how willing is the governor to truly pursue ethics reform? The plan includes a…
Media
Read More: Paycheck Protection, the Ethics Reform Wolf Should PursueEducation
Pittsburgh Teachers’ Strike Averted, but Transparency is Still Needed
After nearly nine months without a contract, the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers (PFT) and Pittsburgh Public Schools have tentatively reached an agreement, which will stave off this Friday’s impending…
Media
Read More: Pittsburgh Teachers’ Strike Averted, but Transparency is Still NeededEducation
Will Philly’s New School Board Welcome Choice?
Yesterday the Educational Nominating Panel for Philadelphia’s new school board voted to recommend board candidates to Mayor Kenney. Here is who made the list: Sarah-Ashley Andrews, Jenne Ayers,…
Media
Read More: Will Philly’s New School Board Welcome Choice?Public Union Democracy
Pa. Teachers Support Worker Freedom Case Before Supreme
This morning, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral argument in a historic case, Janus v. AFSCME, that could free thousands of Pennsylvania teachers and other government workers from workplace coercion.
Press Release
Read More: Pa. Teachers Support Worker Freedom Case Before SupremePublic Union Democracy
What Janus v. AFSCME Means for Public-Sector Workers
The Case Plaintiffs in the U.S. Supreme Court case Janus v. AFSCME contend compulsory union fees for public-sector workers violates their First Amendment rights. The Players Plaintiffs: Mark Janus,…
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Read More: What Janus v. AFSCME Means for Public-Sector WorkersPublic Union Democracy
Ending the Government Union Skimming Scam
Imagine being disabled or sick and requiring help to bathe, eat, and even move from room to room within your own home. Medicaid, a taxpayer-funded health insurance program helps pay…
Media
Read More: Ending the Government Union Skimming ScamGovernment Accountability
Three Ways Government Unions Marginalize Members
Unionization doesn’t guarantee representation. Penn State graduate assistants may soon learn this lesson. Shortly after the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board ruled the graduate assistants can unionize, the Pittsburgh Federation…
Media
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Transparency a Must for Philly School Board Nominations
“The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them.” These words are as true today as…
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Read More: Transparency a Must for Philly School Board NominationsEducation
New Board, New Opportunities in Philadelphia School District
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney recently appointed a 13-member nominating panel that will shape the district’s new school board. High on the panel’s list of requirements should be instilling a…
Media
Read More: New Board, New Opportunities in Philadelphia School DistrictPublic Union Democracy
Unions Send $1B of Members’ Dues to Liberal Groups
No one should be forced to fund values they disagree with—yet that’s exactly what’s happening to union members. Dues collected from workers’ paychecks, often at taxpayer expense, are used for…
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Read More: Unions Send $1B of Members’ Dues to Liberal GroupsPublic Union Democracy
2017 Labor Reform Roundup
Is Pennsylvania a worker-friendly state? According to our updated, comprehensive report grading each state’s public sector labor laws’, the answer is no. Pennsylvania ranks a measly “D” compared to others…
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Read More: 2017 Labor Reform RoundupEducation
Taxpayers Notch Another Win Against Ghost Teaching
Reading residents received an early Christmas present this week, as the city’s teachers’ union agreed to reimburse taxpayers for the costs of ghost teaching in the Reading School District.
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Read More: Taxpayers Notch Another Win Against Ghost TeachingPublic Union Democracy
Paycheck Protection Timeline
Paycheck protection is a commonsense reform that moves Pennsylvania a significant step closer to ethical government. Though recently stalled in the House, a brief history of paycheck protection demonstrates…
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Read More: Paycheck Protection TimelinePublic Union Democracy
Fifty State Labor Report 2017
We've updated a nationwide comparison of public sector labor laws - Pennsylvania again scores a D.
Report
Read More: Fifty State Labor Report 2017Public Union Democracy
SB 166 Falls Short in the House
Last night, Pennsylvania’s government union leaders preserved their exclusive political privilege. By a close vote of 90-102, the state House voted down SB 166 which would have prohibited…
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Read More: SB 166 Falls Short in the HousePublic Union Democracy
House Nears Vote to Protect Public Resources
This Monday, House lawmakers have a chance to vote for landmark ethics reform, Senate Bill 166 Passing this legislation – and sending it to the Senate and governor for approval…
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Read More: House Nears Vote to Protect Public ResourcesPublic Union Democracy
SB 166: Restoring Integrity to PA Government
Pennsylvania has a golden opportunity to enact good government reform, so it’s worth reiterating why SB 166, which House lawmakers continue to debate, deserves legislative approval and the governor’s…
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Read More: SB 166: Restoring Integrity to PA GovernmentPublic Union Democracy
It’s Time to Enact Paycheck Protection Once and For All
Here's the bottom line: Taxpayers shouldn't be the middleman for anyone's political agenda, which is why Pa. needs SB 166.
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Read More: It’s Time to Enact Paycheck Protection Once and For All