>FDR : “collective bargaining, as usually understood, cannot be transplanted into public service”
In the 1930s FDR explained very clearly why unions have no place un the public sector, given the fundamental distinctions between government employees and private sector employees. Here is what he said:
“All government employees should realize that the process of collective bargaining, as usually understood, cannot be transplanted into public service. It has its distinct and insurmountable limitations when applied to public-personnel management. The very nature and purposes of government make it impossible for administrative officials to represent fully or to bind the employer in mutual discussions with government employee organizations. The employer is the whole people.”
This is not a Republican or Democratic issue. It is a common sense issue. Organized labor has misrepresented the merits of public sector unions and the members have willingly allowed themselves to be brainwashed, because they enjoy such a good deal. The fact that they have gotten away with it for several decades does not justify the continuation of the ability for government employees to employ collective bargaining.
Given the dire economic condition of many states, to which the public union health care and pension benefit plans have been a significant factor, the taxpayer can no longer be expected to fund these programs to the extent that they have in the past. Every public union member must be required to contribute dramatically more toward their health care and pension. On this point, there can be no negotiation!
As we are witnessing in Wisconsin, the public union leaders’ greed is leading to thousands of layoffs for public union members. When will the members wake up and realize that they have been led astray and that they have killed the “golden goose”? The trough is empty and the taxpayers in states like NJ have nothing left to fill it. When will public union employees begin to scrutinize how the dues (that they are required to pay) are spent? They should be as angry about this as anyone. Yet, they blindly follow the offensive and inaccurate talking points of their leadership. It is a disgrace and we cannot afford the public unions’ irresponsible behavior any longer.
