Pros and Cons of Public and Private Unions

"I am a retired professor and instructed for one of the many divisions within the Department of State. I traveled all over NYS presenting training seminars on amendments to law. In my particular field of expertise I noticed a direct correlation to the lack of a properly educated workforce when the unions I was familiar with began to lose their strength after Reagan’s “Right to Work Laws” became effective." What?????? Nice try!!!! LOL, Retired professor... And I am a retired student from another division w/in the Dep't of State (the State of dilusion). I couldn't get through the 'Fantasy' Department as you did.

CN: The more I deeply examine this issue, the more I'm inclined to separate the public issue from the private issue. I also will note that I'm less reluctant to give in a little on my hard stance towards public unions as I believe there is room for improvement. Significant room for significant improvement. There, I said it!

Who said that the prospect of a strike by a government union is "unthinkable and intolerable?" The quote is from Franklin Roosevelt -- a president who was regarded as a champion by the working people.

"It is impossible to bargain collectively with the government" stated by George Meany in 1959.

CN, I don't want to take the time to research your questions, but I am interested, just the same, in the answers. Any way you could give the answers in the same paragraph?:) Also, could you explain this a bit more for me:"I have noticed that approximately 80-90% of the individuals that appear to be well rounded and "Intelligent” with a college education have not the slightest inclination of their actual representatively in today’s job market or their value a “good citizen” in our society." I can't follow.:)

Wilford...just curious? .Who said that the prospect of a strike by a government union is "unthinkable and intolerable?" Who said, "It is impossible to bargain collectively with the government"? You thought I would not hold you to this... Luv CN

I have also noticed a direct correlation to the lack of a properly educated workforce both within and without the union ranks. In a past position, I was familiar with the state of the unions and their subsequent loss of strength after Reagan’s “Right to Work Laws” and his firing of the air traffic controllers. I have noticed in my travels, (Please, not confuse me as being a Gulliver.. LOL) , I have noticed that approximately 80-90% of the individuals that appear to be well rounded and "Intelligent” with a college education have not the slightest inclination of their actual representatively in today’s job market or their value a “good citizen” in our society. Their knowledge of current events and the subsequent effect on their existence eludes them..

Wrong headed? Maybe not.. but the existence of today’s unions, I believe has transcended the necessarily of the their former counterparts existence. They have now been lowered to a more base position, of which the powerful union “management” has full control not only of their members but of their political affiliates. This has seriously corrupted the “original purpose/intent” of pro ported causes for the unions existence. Power without lawful control will undoubtedly corrupt the most innocent participant, when money and favors are dangled in front of them… Agree? The saying “ power corrupts but absolute power corrupts absolutely “ it not far of the mark? Do you believe this might be a truisms that may apply in this instance?

I am a retired professor and instructed for one of the many divisions within the Department of State. I traveled all over NYS presenting training seminars on amendments to law. In my particular field of expertise I noticed a direct correlation to the lack of a properly educated workforce when the unions I was familiar with began to lose their strength after Reagan’s “Right to Work Laws” became effective. Within a few short years, industry began to notice the lack of adequately skilled labor. At least unions had training for their members. Now more people enter the workforce inadequately trained.

CN, and others, I like the fact that unions came into existence and developed power. I do not like how they became corrupt anymore than the rest of you like it. In an earlier post I summed it up with this question: why support a policy that will destroy those humans working for an honest living instead of reigning in those union leaders that are abusing their positions? Throwing the baby out with the bathwater makes no sense. I wish that our government would go after the leaders and root out their contributions to the wrongdoing and leave the rank-and-file alone. That's not wrong-headed is it?

Thank you.. I will concede that I might have been a bit tough on you but my whole purpose of "keeping my post going" WAS TO KEEP you really FOCUSED and to direct you to look at the the "big picture" as to is what is really damaging the frame work our beloved country.. I do believe we are apart on a few issues, but if we are to assist our county in overcoming the difficulties we face in the "hard times" ahead.. we must set aside some of our differences and place our countries survival above our differences.. great job.. CN

CNSTARS: All good points and questions. I will concede that unions and management of unions all need a serious overhaul. There is a lot of corruption to go around. I think the general gist of my concern has been more pointed toward the rights of people to gather up into a group and demand to be treated fairly when they are being treated unfairly. I hate to see that "right" revoked. That's the crux of my argument.

Wilford...with respect to the NY teacher unions does the public good suffers when union power makes it almost impossible to fire a bad teacher?? Should the tenure rule be change as Randi Weingarter NY UFT President recently noted?

Wilford... how would you respond to the statement: "Government unions with their cozy relationships with the politicians who write their checks short-circuits the democratic process, giving partial control of public agencies to unelected labor leaders".

Wilford.. Is it true that AFSCME was the biggest outside spender in the 2010 elections and had shelled out over $91 million?? Do you believe that unions with such large "War Chests" strike fear in the hearts of politicians of both parties??

Wilford...Do you believe that the taxpayers are increasingly becoming aware of & now understand that the structural deficits the public union arrangement generates will bankrupt us?? Do you believe that current taxpayer-subsidized pensions and benefits are edging out other spending priorities -- from schools to parks and highways??

Wilford...,How do you feel about the characterization that public unions are among the Democratic Party's largest donors, and form the core of its on-the-ground campaign machine???

Wilford.. Do politicians repay unions "financial support" by doling out hefty pensions and benefits? Am I correct, that it is very easy to be generous to the unions when you're spending taxpayers' money, not your own???

Wilford...How do you feel about Union leaders taking money from union dues and passing it to Democratic candidates? Once elected, the politicians "negotiate" with the unions that helped elect them. Is that correct?

Wilford...Has the true nature of the union issue been revealed by AFL-CIO leader Richard Trumka’s,after he bellowed about this being about the right to have collective bargaining? He did not come to the defense of the services that are provided by state and local unionized workers. Why did he fail to make a justification for their wages that average twice that of their private sector counterparts?? Why did he not make the case for maintaining the unions medical and pension benefits that are so outside the mainstream as to be an embarrassment in today’s troubled economic times??