Public Union Democracy
Union political spending doesn’t represent all their members
Originally published at Pittsburgh Post-Gazette The International Brotherhood of Teamsters declined to endorse a presidential candidate, citing its members’ differing political views. However, the powerful union still writes checks…
Read More: Union political spending doesn’t represent all their membersCompulsory 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
Government Union Contracts Increase Again
Summary Pennsylvania elected officials routinely and secretly negotiate billion-dollar labor contracts with government union leaders from whom they often receive political donations. These labor contracts are a major cost of…
Fact Sheet
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PA Needs to Empower Workers—Not Union Executives
Originally published in the Delaware Valley Journal The Pennsylvania House of Representatives recently passed House Bill 950, which proposes a state constitutional amendment empowering public sector union executives. Unfortunately,…
Media Hit
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Uprooting the Teachers Unions
Originally published at The American Mind Across the country, teacher union leaders and leftist pundits frequently malign educational choice expansion as an insidious plot to “dismantle public education”…
Commentary
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Public sector union employees deserve more power over their leadership
Originally published in The Philadelphia Inquirer In a stunning admission of incompetence, Jerry Jordan, the boss of Pennsylvania’s largest teachers’ union, the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, admitted he only…
Media Hit
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These powerful unions helped flip the Pennsylvania House
Originally published in the Bucks County Courier Times Last November, Pennsylvania Democrats captured the state House of Representatives for the first time in 12 years. Behind the flip was…
Media Hit
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Commonwealth Foundation’s Statement on House Passage of HB 950
May 3, 2023, Harrisburg, Pa.—Today, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed House Bill 950, a constitutional amendment that would create a new “fundamental right” to organize and collectively bargain…
Press Release
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation’s Statement on House Passage of HB 950Public Union Democracy
HB 950: A Power Grab for Union Executives at the Expense of Workers
Summary House Bill 950 proposes an amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution creating a “fundamental right to organize and bargain collectively” for both private and public sector employees.[1]The…
Fact Sheet
Read More: HB 950: A Power Grab for Union Executives at the Expense of WorkersPublic Union Democracy
Radical Union Leader Power Grab Advances in Pa. House
May 1, 2023, Harrisburg, Pa. — The Pennsylvania House Labor and Industry Committee today advances House Bill 950, a proposed constitutional amendment that would create a new “fundamental right”…
Press Release
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Pennsylvania House Labor & Industry Committee Testimony on HB 950
Chairmen Dawkins and Mackenzie: Good afternoon. Thanks to Chairmen Dawkins and Mackenzie for the invitation to testify on this resolution, and thanks to the rest of the committee for your…
Testimony
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Teacher Unions Pick Politics Over Students and Teachers
Originally published at The American Spectator There’s a war brewing in education — and it’s not just on parents. It’s on the teachers themselves — and the same unions…
Commentary
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Commonwealth Foundation’s Jennifer Stefano on OAN 4.12.2023
Commonwealth Foundation’s Jennifer Stefano appeared on OAN to discuss the findings of the Common Ground in the Commonwealth Poll.
Media
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation’s Jennifer Stefano on OAN 4.12.2023Public Union Democracy
Gov. Shapiro should represent workers over powerful campaign donors
Originally published in The Mercury Gov. Josh Shapiro frequently touts his commitment to “real freedom.” But delivering that freedom to all Pennsylvanians depends on whether he chooses to side…
Media Hit
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Government Union Political Spending in the 2021–22 Election Cycle
Key Points Government unions are a top interest group in Pennsylvania, spending more than $190 million on politics since 2007. Government union political action committee (PAC) spending continues to increase,…
Backgrounder
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Will Teachers Unions’ Political Contributions Prevent School Choice in Pennsylvania?
Originally published at The Daily Signal A well-funded network of government unions stands in opposition to parents, students, and lawmakers eyeballing education reform in Pennsylvania. Until recently, they have cowed…
Media Hit
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Shapiro Should Follow Tennessee’s Lead on Dealing with Unions
Originally published in RealClearPennsylvania After contributing nearly $11 million to Governor-elect Josh Shapiro’s campaign, executives of Pennsylvania’s biggest labor union will surely expect a return on their investment. But…
Media Hit
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Weingarten tour can’t rewrite years of learning losses
Originally published at Broad + Liberty The American Federation of Teachers’ get-out-the-vote bus tour began its Pennsylvania leg in Pittsburgh on Wednesday. The tour, designed to bolster left-wing candidates, comes…
Media Hit
Read More: Weingarten tour can’t rewrite years of learning lossesEducation
Government Unions, Progressive Donors Finance Assault on Pennsylvania’s Charter Schools
Originally published at The Daily Signal Liberal groups aligned with the Washington consulting firm Arabella Advisors have spent over $1 million to support attacks on school choice in Pennsylvania,…
Media Hit
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PA Is the Epicenter of Democrats’ Political Spending
Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania Democratic gubernatorial nominee Josh Shapiro’s overflowing campaign coffers underscore the importance of Pennsylvania to national politics—and the influence of government unions in elections. With four…
Media Hit
Read More: PA Is the Epicenter of Democrats’ Political SpendingFairness
Public-Sector Unions Struggle to Maintain Influence, Membership
Originally published at Newsweek Some observers argue the labor movement in America is “having a moment,” but for the four largest public-sector workers’ unions—AFSCME, SEIU, NEA, and AFT—the “moment” is…
Media Hit
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Government Union Political Spending in the 2021–22 Election Cycle
Introduction According to campaign finance reports and union financial disclosure statements, Pennsylvania government unions have spent $169 million on politics since 2007, making government unions a top special interest in…
Fact Sheet
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Commonwealth Foundation Releases Analysis of Government Union Political Spending in Pennsylvania’s 2021-22 Election Cycle
October 10, 2022, Harrisburg, Pa. — The Commonwealth Foundation today released an analysis of government union political spending during the 2021–22 Pennsylvania election cycle. The report finds that government…
Press Release
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Releases Analysis of Government Union Political Spending in Pennsylvania’s 2021-22 Election Cycle