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

Government Unions One Year after Janus v. AFSCME

  • Jessica Barnett
  • August 2, 2019

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. AFSCME

Public Union Democracy

Are Unions Preparing to Charge Fair Share Fees Once Again?

  • Jessica Barnett
  • July 30, 2019

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

  • Jessica Barnett
  • July 24, 2019

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-Janus

Government Accountability

A Look Inside New Government Union Contracts

  • Jessica Barnett
  • July 10, 2019

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 Contracts

Public Union Democracy

Respecting Workers’ Rights

  • June 26, 2019

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

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Public Union Democracy

Do Teachers Know About Their Rights?

  • Priya Brannick
  • June 25, 2019

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

  • Colleen Hroncich
  • June 18, 2019

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 Words

Government Accountability

Transparency Deferred During Union Contract Negotiations

  • Jessica Barnett
  • June 3, 2019

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 Negotiations

Public Union Democracy

Employee Rights Notification Becomes Imperative Following New Court Ruling

  • Jessica Barnett
  • May 23, 2019

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 Ruling

Public Union Democracy

Pa. Attorney General Agrees: Workers Should Know Their Rights

  • Jessica Barnett, Nathan Benefield
  • May 14, 2019

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 Rights

Government Accountability

Union Medicaid Dues Skimming Scheme Finally Ends

  • Jessica Barnett
  • May 3, 2019

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 Ends

Public Union Democracy

Gov. Unions: Pennsylvania’s Biggest Political Spenders

  • Jessica Barnett
  • April 29, 2019

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 Spenders

Public Union Democracy

‘Stuck in My Union’

  • April 24, 2019

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

  • April 15, 2019

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 Unions

Public Union Democracy

The Facts about Pa.’s Employee Rights Notification Act

  • April 9, 2019

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 Act

Public Union Democracy

For Union Members, Knowledge is Power

  • Charles Mitchell
  • April 8, 2019

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 Power

Public Union Democracy

Lawsuits by Trapped Union Members Piling Up

  • Jessica Barnett
  • April 2, 2019

Curtis Thompson loves his school, his district, and helping students succeed. He considers his job as an education aide for at-risk students in the Cumberland Valley School District “an opportunity to…

Media

Read More: Lawsuits by Trapped Union Members Piling Up

Public Union Democracy

Restoring Government Workers’ Resignation Rights

  • Jessica Barnett
  • March 25, 2019

Pennsylvania government workers are no longer forced to pay union fees to keep their jobs—but government and union leaders are imposing roadblocks to exercising their rights. Here's how legislators can help.

Memo

Read More: Restoring Government Workers’ Resignation Rights

Public Union Democracy

HB 785: Transparency or Deception

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 19, 2019

Yesterday, the House Labor Committee voted to advance HB 785, the Employee Rights Notification Act. Unfortunately, this innocuous proposal became a partisan issue, with the vote falling along party lines.

Media

Read More: HB 785: Transparency or Deception

Public Union Democracy

Employee Rights Notification Bill Passes House Committee

  • Jessica Barnett
  • March 18, 2019

Today, the House Labor and Industry Committee passed the employee rights notification bill, HB 785. Sponsored by Rep. Kate Klunk (R-Hanover), this legislation ensures public employees can make informed…

Media

Read More: Employee Rights Notification Bill Passes House Committee