Public Union Democracy
The Battle for Worker Freedom: How Government Unions Fund Politics Across the Country
Key Findings During the 2023–24 election cycle, the four biggest public sector unions—the National Education Association (NEA), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and American Federation…
Read More: The Battle for Worker Freedom: How Government Unions Fund Politics Across the CountryCompulsory 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
Shine a Light on the Collective Bargaining Process
Gov. Tom Wolf has an opportunity to deliver a fresh start to Pennsylvania’s collective bargaining process. Over the next few months, the governor and his administration will be negotiating…
Media
Read More: Shine a Light on the Collective Bargaining ProcessPublic Union Democracy
Injustice is a Product of Labor Disputes
Stalking, harassment and threatening to use a weapon of mass destruction are all legal activities in Pennsylvania. It’s almost impossible to believe, but yes, these abusive acts are permitted when…
Media
Read More: Injustice is a Product of Labor DisputesGovernment Accountability
Anti-Competitive Prevailing Wage Mandates Cost $1 Billion Annually
Contact: John Bouder, 717-671-1901 Anti-Competitive Prevailing Wage Mandates Cost $1 Billion Annually Artificial Wage Inflation Harms School Districts, Local Governments, and Taxpayers Wouldn’t a billion…
Press Release
Read More: Anti-Competitive Prevailing Wage Mandates Cost $1 Billion AnnuallyPublic Union Democracy
Prevailing Wage Reform in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s Prevailing Wage Law was enacted in 1961, mandating that state and local governments pay construction contractors wages that “prevail” in each region on projects costing $25,000 or more. This…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Prevailing Wage Reform in PennsylvaniaEducation
Our Undemocratic Teachers’ Unions
Is American democracy under assault? That’s a question often asked when businesses exert political influence, unelected bureaucrats misuse power, or reporters engage in slanted storytelling. It’s time to add public-school…
Commentary
Read More: Our Undemocratic Teachers’ UnionsGovernment Accountability
Wolf Negotiates Billions with Unions Who Gave Him Millions
Wolf received more than $2.6 million in campaign contributions from six of the government unions with whom he will be negotiating. How does Wolf square these contributions to his…
Commentary
Read More: Wolf Negotiates Billions with Unions Who Gave Him MillionsGovernment Accountability
Taxpayers Deserve A Transparent Government
Did you know the Wolf administration is in the process of negotiating contracts with some of the governor’s biggest campaign contributors? It’s true. Government unions gave more than $2.6 million…
Media
Read More: Taxpayers Deserve A Transparent GovernmentEducation
Protecting Pennsylvania’s Excellent Teachers
Shortly after graduation, Dominique took a job at one of Philadelphia’s most challenging turnaround high schools, University City. After one very successful year the district experienced significant layoffs…
Media
Read More: Protecting Pennsylvania’s Excellent TeachersGovernment Accountability
Collective Bargaining Transparency
Government union contract negotiations can have far reaching implications because they set compensation for tens of thousands of public employees, costing taxpayers billions each year. Despite the enormous impact, the…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Collective Bargaining TransparencyGovernment Accountability
‘Transparency’ Governor Negotiates $3.8 Billion Contracts with Campaign Funders in Secret
For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 ‘Transparency’ Governor Negotiates $3.4 Billion* Contracts with Campaign Funders in Secret Budget Secretary Evades Questions on Negotiations, Keeping Taxpayers…
Press Release
Read More: ‘Transparency’ Governor Negotiates $3.8 Billion Contracts with Campaign Funders in SecretEducation
Education-Industrial Complex Strikes Again
Much has been made of recent comments from U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan regarding school funding in Pennsylvania. According to Duncan, Pennsylvania's families are “being shortchanged when…
Media
Read More: Education-Industrial Complex Strikes AgainPublic Union Democracy
Gov. Wolf Authorizes New Union Money-Grab
On Friday, Gov. Tom Wolf issued an executive order that effectively helps SEIU (Service Employees International Union) unionize home health care workers. Many of these workers are simply taking…
Media
Read More: Gov. Wolf Authorizes New Union Money-GrabPublic Union Democracy
Union Rally for ‘Equality’ Really about Political Pressure
Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Union Rally for ‘Equality’ Really about Political Pressure Campaign Finance Records Indicate Rally Sponsor SEIU Wants Return on Political Investment Good morning, Today,…
Press Release
Read More: Union Rally for ‘Equality’ Really about Political PressureGovernment Accountability
PA Union Campaign Contributions Exceed $10 Million
Pennsylvania government unions gave more than $10.5 million to candidates last election cycle. We updated our analysis of union political spending using the latest reports filed with the PA…
Media
Read More: PA Union Campaign Contributions Exceed $10 MillionPublic Union Democracy
Paycheck Protection Advances in the Senate
Teachers and government workers are one step closer to getting their voices back. Yesterday, members of the Senate State Government Committee passed a constitutional amendment version of paycheck protection.
Media
Read More: Paycheck Protection Advances in the SenateEducation
Thousands of Philly Students Left on Waiting Lists
The long, frustrating wait continues for Philadelphia families desperate for educational opportunity. Last Wednesday, Philadelphia’s School Reform Commission (SRC) rejected 34 of 39 charter school applicants. Five…
Media
Read More: Thousands of Philly Students Left on Waiting ListsPublic Union Democracy
Committees Vote on Paycheck Protection, Liquor Privatization
Lawmakers took action in committees today on both liquor privatization and paycheck protection. Here’s what’s happened in Harrisburg: Liquor privatization: This morning, the House Liquor Control Committee advanced HB…
Media
Read More: Committees Vote on Paycheck Protection, Liquor PrivatizationPublic Union Democracy
Paycheck Protection is About Morality, not Cost
It is a principle of good government that electoral politics are not mixed with official government business. Yet state and local governments in Pennsylvania continue to collect political campaign funds…
Commentary
Read More: Paycheck Protection is About Morality, not CostGovernment Accountability
Political Spending by Government Unions During the 2014 Election
The evidence is overwhelming: Unions use members' dues and taxpayer resources to push their political agenda. By passing paycheck protection, Pennsylvania can move toward leveling the political playing field, making…
Memo
Read More: Political Spending by Government Unions During the 2014 ElectionGovernment Accountability
No More Silent Treatment, Lehigh Commissioners Want Transparency
Lehigh County commissioners are getting the silent treatment during labor contract negotiations, and they aren’t happy about it. Reportedly, the current county executive, Tom Muller, refused leadership…
Media
Read More: No More Silent Treatment, Lehigh Commissioners Want TransparencyEducation
Teachers Denied the Right to Represent Themselves
Last week the Bethlehem Area School District approved a new labor contract that will force all teachers—even those who do not want the union’s services—to pay the organization hundreds of…
Media
Read More: Teachers Denied the Right to Represent Themselves