Public Union Democracy

How Representative Are Pennsylvania’s Public Sector Unions?

• David Osborne
• April 20, 2026

Whether one supports or opposes government unionization, it’s hard to argue with a novel reform embedded within Florida’s newly enacted government union law. The reform, which…

Blog

Exposing Shapiro’s Inflated Budget

• Common Sense Weekly
• March 6, 2025

Welcome to Common Sense Weekly! This is the Commonwealth Foundation’s weekly news roundup of policy issues debated in Harrisburg and across Pennsylvania.Be sure to follow us on social media to…

Blog

Public Union Democracy

Government Unions are Losing Money and Members—but Not Power and Influence

• David Osborne
• February 27, 2025

Originally published by Penn Live/Patriot-News. Pennsylvania’s second-largest union is on the brink of collapse.  Last year, the Harrisburg-based subsidiary of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees…

Media Hit

Education

Parental activism and public support level the playing field as government unions block Lifelines to students in failing schools.

• Kevin Mooney
• August 31, 2023

Originally published at Broad + Liberty When government union leaders sent a letter to elected officials urging them to oppose scholarships for low-income students, they left out that part…

Media Hit

Public Sector Union 2020 Election Spending

• Jessica Barnett
• March 18, 2021

Public sector union political action committees (PAC) spent $16.7 million in Pennsylvania during the 2019–2020 election cycle, principally on behalf of Democratic politicians.

Backgrounder

Public Union Democracy

Protecting the Rights of Pennsylvania Public Employees

• October 3, 2020

Key Points Pennsylvania state law grants unions exclusive bargaining rights in government workplaces, makes it difficult for workers to leave their union, and allows taxpayer collection of union political money.Through…

Backgrounder

Op-ed: Citizens Take on Pennsylvania’s Public-Sector Unions

• Kevin Mooney
• July 27, 2020

Pennsylvania public employees advance free speech two years after the Supreme Court ruling in Janus v. AFSCME.

Commentary

Public Union Democracy

Public-Sector Unions Two Years After Janus v. AFSCME

• Jessica Barnett
• June 26, 2020

Two years after Janus freed workers from forced union fees, public sector employees are still fighting for greater protection.

Fact Sheet

Public Union Democracy

New Lawsuit Challenges Union Resignation Restrictions

• Jessica Barnett
• October 24, 2018

Last June, the U.S. Supreme Court freed all public sector workers from paying agency fees to a union they didn’t join. Since then, many workers who are dissatisfied with…

Media