Compulsory 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.

Public Union Democracy

PA Congressional Delegation Ratings on Worker Freedom

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 26, 2008

The Alliance for Worker Freedom has their new scorecard on the 2nd session of the 110th Congress.  Key votes include a number of expansion of Davis-Bacon prevailing wage laws…

Media

Read More: PA Congressional Delegation Ratings on Worker Freedom

Education

We’re Number One! In Teacher Strikes…still

  • November 21, 2008

The Allegheny Institute, one of our sister think tanks, posted a brief about teacher strikes. Unfortunately, Pennsylvania maintains its reputation of being the “teacher strike capital” of the world.

Media

Read More: We’re Number One! In Teacher Strikes…still

Public Union Democracy

Ending secret ballot elections: Change you can believe in?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 20, 2008

Rick Berman of the Center for Union Facts writes in the DC Examiner that the first priority of the Obama Administration may well be outlawing secret ballots…

Media

Read More: Ending secret ballot elections: Change you can believe in?

Public Union Democracy

Which Obama Will Be President?

  • Matthew Brouillette, Nathan Benefield
  • November 13, 2008

Will an Obama presidency bring a lurch to the political Left in America?  This is of great concern for those of us who believe that our prosperity and security do…

Commentary

Read More: Which Obama Will Be President?

Education

Pennsylvania State Education Association: Compelling Teachers, Marginalizing Students, Lobbying Politicians & Increasing Taxes

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • November 12, 2008

Originally founded as the Pennsylvania State Teachers Association in 1852, the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) has transformed itself from a professional development organization for educators into one of the…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Pennsylvania State Education Association: Compelling Teachers, Marginalizing Students, Lobbying Politicians & Increasing Taxes

Education

Harrisburg’s Most Powerful Special Interest

  • November 12, 2008

New policy brief addresses the impact of unions on public education HARRISBURG, PA — The Commonwealth Foundation today released Pennsylvania State Education Association: Compelling Teachers, Marginalizing Students, Lobbying Politicians &…

Press Release

Read More: Harrisburg’s Most Powerful Special Interest

Public Union Democracy

Worker Freedom Ensures Economic Prosperity

  • November 10, 2008

Along with the rest of the nation, Pennsylvania is struggling to rebound from the recent economic turmoil. Unfortunately, being a compulsory union state puts the Commonwealth at a marked disadvantage.

Commentary

Read More: Worker Freedom Ensures Economic Prosperity

Public Union Democracy

Voters still like limited government, lower taxes

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 6, 2008

A poll from the Club For Growth surveyed voters in 12 competitive Congressional districts; eleven of the 12 switched hands from Republican to Democrat following Tuesday’s elections. The results…

Media

Read More: Voters still like limited government, lower taxes

Public Union Democracy

PSEA uses union dues to support Obama

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 29, 2008

Even though 60% of teachers’ union members consider themselves conservative, the PSEA – the union for most Pennsylvania school districts – is using union dues to support the Obama-Biden…

Media

Read More: PSEA uses union dues to support Obama

Education

Forced Unionism and Teacher Strikes

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 22, 2008

Video from the National Right to Work Foundation  featuring Simon Campbell of Stop Teacher Strikes…

Media

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Public Union Democracy

Talking Teacher Strikes and the Bailout

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 8, 2008

Audio from yesterday’s Pittsburgh Renaissance Radio show hosted by Matt Brouillette is available for download. For individual segments: Matt talks with Simon Campbell of Stop Teacher Strikes…

Media

Read More: Talking Teacher Strikes and the Bailout

Health Care

Debate Watching Tips

  • October 7, 2008

While the talking heads may analyze how many points McCain and Obama score with witty jabs, there might also be some policy issues discussed in tonight’s presidential debate. Check…

Media

Read More: Debate Watching Tips

Public Union Democracy

The “Disability Epidemic” Among Union Employees

  • September 25, 2008

If you don’t want to get angry after reading these first couple of paragraphs of this New York Times story, then don’t click through here: To understand what it’s…

Media

Read More: The “Disability Epidemic” Among Union Employees

Public Union Democracy

Union Against Union

  • September 22, 2008

Talk about ironic: the Oregon Education Association is facing a strike, but not from its own members. The organization that helps the OEA file grievances and negotiate contracts, OEA Professional…

Media

Read More: Union Against Union

Public Union Democracy

More Union Dues spent on Politics

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 19, 2008

The Union Label blog writes on how AFSCME (the union for government workers) is using union dues to attack candidates for office (see USA Today story as well).

Media

Read More: More Union Dues spent on Politics

Public Union Democracy

AFSCME opposes unlimited government?!?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 17, 2008

Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (which runs 14 state universities, but not the “state-related” schools like Penn State and Pitt), banned all smoking on campus, both indoor and…

Media

Read More: AFSCME opposes unlimited government?!?

Education

‘Tis the Season…for teacher strikes, that is.

  • September 14, 2008

Saucon Valley teachers who make nearly $80K are ready to strike. Nick Falsone writes on his Bedlam in Bethlehem blog for The Express-Times about elementary school teacher Vivian Demko,…

Media

Read More: ‘Tis the Season…for teacher strikes, that is.

Public Union Democracy

Todd Palin is Bankrolling Efforts to Defeat His Wife

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 4, 2008

If you saw this blog title and thought there was something out whack, as I did, well you are right, but not because Todd Palin is deliberating undermining his wife.

Media

Read More: Todd Palin is Bankrolling Efforts to Defeat His Wife

Public Union Democracy

The Card-Check Party

  • September 1, 2008

The Wall Street Journal’s John Fund notes that the Democrats almost committed a major blunder on one of their key labor union campaign issues — ending the use…

Media

Read More: The Card-Check Party