Who's minding the store?

The lame duck Jefferson Parish School Board has voted 6-3 to let 3,000 school support workers opt for union representation. Wow! This is a real gift to local unions. The approval vote happened last week, and the employees will vote tomorrow. This is an example of what labor wants to achieve in the private sector -  fast elections. Essentially there is no time to inform employees of the down side of unionization, or to mobilize any worker or community opposition. The fact that the issue would be decided by a lame duck Board, a majority of whose members will be replaced in January, only underscores the problem with politicians addressing labor/management issues. Whose representing the taxpayer at that bargaining table?

Union benefits

You do not see a lot of news coverage about positive effects of unionization. But it seems the UFCW and Smithfield's have made nice with positive side effects at the world's largest hog slaughterhouse. On the job injuries, absenteeism and turnover are all down since the collective bargaining agreement was reached.