Did labor defeat Romney?

Did Republican governors in picking a fight with unions in Ohio and Wisconsin cost Romney the election? The unions think so.

Wisconsin law challenged

A federal district judge has just struck down parts of Act 10's restrictions on public employee union rights.

Public support of unions higher than thought

A new Bloomberg National Poll finds unions with more support than one might suspect. 

Sixty-four percent of respondents, including a plurality of Republicans, say public employees should have the right to bargain collectively for their wages. Sixty-three percent, including 55 percent of Republicans, say states without enough money to pay for all the pension benefits they have promised to current retirees shouldn’t be able to break those obligations.

AZ to WS public sector bargaining

Will Arizona become the next public sector collective bargaining hot spot.

Steve Jobs on unions in education

Walter Isaacson's Steve Jobs biography relates some pretty negative views Jobs had on public school unions.

Walker wins one

In a 4-3 decision, the Supreme Court of Wisconsin has given the Governor a win in his war on public sector unions. The decision overturns the trial court invalidation of the legislation. Previous post here.

Rejected!

A state circuit court in Wisconsin has voided the controversial law repealing collective bargaining for public employees -  because the legislature allegedly violated the state's open meetings law. This issue will ultimately make it to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The Journal-Sentinel has a good article giving context to the ruling.

Public sector unions decline mirrors the private sector

Joe Burns at In These Times (pro labor) has posted an insightful analysis of public sector unions core problem - the weakness of private sector unionism. Seizing on that weakness, Burns notes, is a well-funded network of conservative forces which has mounted an all out assault on labor rights. While he has correctly diagnosed the problem, his projected cure, more solidarity of purpose and a return to collective actions may not be achievable in an environment determined to suppress it.

Another poll favors public sector unions

Another poll, this one from Gallup, indicates the public is less anti-labor than some Republican governors would like.

Walker's approval dives over assault on public employee unions

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker now has a 57% disapproval rate, according to a new Rasmussen poll. 48% strongly disapprove. Yikes! Among families with children in public school 67% disapprove, 54% strongly so.

Wisconsin demonstrates

Chris Bowers at Daily Kos has a detailed piece with video about the remarkable demonstrations ongoing in Wisconsin as Governor Walker continues to target public sector unions. Of course its favorable to labor . . .

Showdown in union country

Massive protests have erupted in Wisconsin in response to Republican efforts to repeal collective bargaining for public employees. Wisconsin was first in the nation to grant collective bargaining rights (1959) to public sector employees. Not something you will see in this part of the world.

War of words

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) is soliciting signatures on an open letter challenging right wing pundits Glenn Beck and El Rushbo to stop maligning public workers.

Public sector labor clout

Megan McCardle blogs about reading The Ungovernable City, about the troubled administration of Mayor John Lindsey. One of Lindsey's huge problems was public sector unions. McCardle takes the issue to the next level, and correctly so. Money quote:

When crucial public sector workers collectively bargain, they end up with ruinous power over the taxpayers:  how many days can a city survive without its police, its transit workers, or its teachers? 

Why? Because politicians will always find it easier to give in to labor's demands than to withstand pressure from a public deprived of essential services. Well almost always. There was that unsuccessful police strike in 1979.