Public Union Democracy
Shapiro’s Project Labor Agreement Mandate
Summary Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) are pre-hire agreements between the government and a contractor that outline the terms and conditions for a certain project. Gov. Josh Shapiro wrote to state…
Read More: Shapiro’s Project Labor Agreement MandateCompulsory 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
Transparency Can Curb the High Taxpayer Cost of Government Union Contracts
Behind closed doors, Pennsylvania elected officials routinely negotiate billion-dollar contracts with government unions leaders. Three new contracts will cost an additional $1 billion from 2019-23.
Memo
Read More: Transparency Can Curb the High Taxpayer Cost of Government Union ContractsGovernment Accountability
The Janus Impact and Grading of State Public Sector Labor Laws
In the Janus aftermath, pro-union forces make legislative headway counteracting the court decision, while workers push back in the courts. This report details the trends, and grades each state according to…
Report
Read More: The Janus Impact and Grading of State Public Sector Labor LawsGovernment Accountability
Pa. State Union Contracts Cost Taxpayers an Additional $1 Billion
How much is the cost of doing business with Pennsylvania state government unions? For the most recent round of contract negotiations, an additional $1.15 billion over the next four years.
Media
Read More: Pa. State Union Contracts Cost Taxpayers an Additional $1 BillionEducation
Statement: Gov. Wolf’s Charter Accountability Plan
Today, Governor Tom Wolf will unveil his plans to alter accountability mechanisms for Pennsylvania's charter schools. However, Gov. Wolf's strategy is not as much about accountability as it is his administration's attempt…
Press Release
Read More: Statement: Gov. Wolf’s Charter Accountability PlanPublic Union Democracy
Government Unions One Year after Janus v. AFSCME
One year after Janus unions lost significant fee-based revenue, fee-payers largely remain non-union, and existing members—frequently unaware of the ruling or restricted from resigning—often maintain membership…
Memo
Read More: Government Unions One Year after Janus v. AFSCMEPublic Union Democracy
Are Unions Preparing to Charge Fair Share Fees Once Again?
It’s been one year since Janus v. AFSCME overturned 40 years of government labor precedent. Now, public employees who decide not to join their workplace union are no longer forced…
Media
Read More: Are Unions Preparing to Charge Fair Share Fees Once Again?Public Union Democracy
Pa. Union Membership Declines Post-Janus
In the year following Janus v. AFSCME, which stopped unions from charging nonmembers “fair share fees,” a central question emerged: how would this ruling impact total union membership? Official reports…
Media
Read More: Pa. Union Membership Declines Post-JanusGovernment Accountability
A Look Inside New Government Union Contracts
Government union leaders recently reached multi-year contract agreement with the Wolf Administration, including 18% compensation increases over four years. Even though taxpayers foot the bill, they are still waiting to know…
Media
Read More: A Look Inside New Government Union ContractsPublic Union Democracy
Respecting Workers’ Rights
Do you really have liberty if it is not legally protected? Five Pennsylvanian corrections officers likely asked themselves that question when their union, the Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association…
Media
Read More: Respecting Workers’ RightsPublic Union Democracy
Do Teachers Know About Their Rights?
A year after the path-changing Janus v. AFSCME decision that freed 5 million American government workers from having to pay union fees, there hasn’t been the exodus of union members…
Media
Read More: Do Teachers Know About Their Rights?Education
Wolf’s Actions Speak Louder Than Words
Governor Wolf talks the talk. In his 2018 budget address, he called for ensuring “your zip code doesn’t determine what kind of education you can get.” In his …
Media
Read More: Wolf’s Actions Speak Louder Than WordsGovernment Accountability
Transparency Deferred During Union Contract Negotiations
Public dollars, secrecy, and politics should never mix. Yet, it’s a disturbingly common practice in Pennsylvania as public officials negotiate costly government employee contracts with their campaign donors—behind closed…
Media
Read More: Transparency Deferred During Union Contract NegotiationsPublic Union Democracy
Employee Rights Notification Becomes Imperative Following New Court Ruling
Laws contradicting U.S. Supreme Court decisions should be removed from the books, or at least that’s what Pennsylvania teachers Greg Hartnett, Elizabeth Galaska, Rob Brough, and John Cress rationally argued…
Media
Read More: Employee Rights Notification Becomes Imperative Following New Court RulingPublic Union Democracy
Pa. Attorney General Agrees: Workers Should Know Their Rights
Attorney General Josh Shapiro recently demonstrated why Pennsylvania government workers need the Employee Rights Notification Act (House Bill 785 and Senate Bill 371). In a tweet, Shapiro…
Media
Read More: Pa. Attorney General Agrees: Workers Should Know Their RightsGovernment Accountability
Union Medicaid Dues Skimming Scheme Finally Ends
Six years ago, Pam Harris fought in court to keep her disabled son at home. A portion of her limited caregiver stipend was being funneled to union she never…
Media
Read More: Union Medicaid Dues Skimming Scheme Finally EndsPublic Union Democracy
Gov. Unions: Pennsylvania’s Biggest Political Spenders
We all know that government unions are big players in American politics. However, new research gives us some perspective on just how big they play. According to an analysis by…
Media
Read More: Gov. Unions: Pennsylvania’s Biggest Political SpendersPublic Union Democracy
‘Stuck in My Union’
Shalea Oliver is suing her union, because "No Pennsylvanian should have his or her rights ignored."…
Commentary
Read More: ‘Stuck in My Union’Public Union Democracy
Guest Post: Shattering Myths About Government Unions
As a former public school teacher, I can tell you: plenty of false messages circulate about union membership. Is union membership required? Why do government employees belong to unions and…
Media
Read More: Guest Post: Shattering Myths About Government UnionsPublic Union Democracy
The Facts about Pa.’s Employee Rights Notification Act
The Employee Rights Notification Act (HB 785) is exactly what its name suggests: notifying employees of their existing rights. So what are these rights, and why must workers be…
Media
Read More: The Facts about Pa.’s Employee Rights Notification ActPublic Union Democracy
For Union Members, Knowledge is Power
Francisco Molina is standing up for himself and other public workers because he believes everyone deserves the opportunity to know and act on their rights. That’s the kind of bedrock…
Commentary
Read More: For Union Members, Knowledge is PowerPublic Union Democracy
PSEA Flouts SCOTUS Ruling, Bargains for Unconstitutional ‘Fair Share’ Fees in Teacher Contracts
In open disregard for the U.S. Supreme Court’s Janus v. AFSCME decision, the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) is bargaining to impose “fair share” fees on non-union member teachers in…
Press Release
Read More: PSEA Flouts SCOTUS Ruling, Bargains for Unconstitutional ‘Fair Share’ Fees in Teacher Contracts