Union Watch

Friedrichs 2.0? Supremes May Get a Second Chance to Free Teachers from Forced Unionism

By Will Swaim On January 19, 2017 · Leave a Comment

In a case that will cheer education reformers, four Pennsylvania teachers today sued their unions, school districts and district officials for making union membership a condition of their employment.
“Teaching is my calling, but I fundamentally disagree with many teachers’ union stances on personnel and political issues,” said lead plaintiff Gregory J. Hartnett, an art […]

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California Agricultural Labor Board Has New Chairman – Union Control Remains Absolute

By Katy Grimes On January 18, 2017 · Leave a Comment

Removing all doubt that the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board is a Marxist tool for unionization, William B. Gould IV, Gov. Jerry Brown’s appointed Chairman of the board, announced his resignation Friday, in a cranky letter complaining that farm workers don’t want to join the United Farmworkers Union.

Gould’s resignation also proved […]

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Analysis of 2001 Bush Executive Order Allowing Federal Funds for Project Labor Agreements

By Kevin Dayton On January 18, 2017 · Leave a Comment

In early 2001, President George W. Bush issued two executive orders related to a prohibition on federal funding for construction contracts that included a requirement for contractors to sign a Project Labor Agreement with trade unions. The first executive order – Presidential Executive Order 13202, signed on February 17, 2001 – received national news coverage and Congressional attention.
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Convicted or Not, L.A. Sheriff Baca Will Collect a Big Pension

By Marc Joffe On January 17, 2017 · 1 Comment

Leroy “Lee” Baca, the man served for 16 years as L.A. County’s top cop, has admitted to charges of lying to the FBI in a coverup of inmate abuse at the county jail. But even if convicted, the retired Los Angeles County Sheriff will continue to receive retirement benefits – today valued at more than $342,000 annually.
A […]

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Environmentalism Provides Moral Cover for New Taxes to Fund Pensions

By Ed Ring On January 17, 2017 · Leave a Comment

There are two intertwined themes that define unionized government in California. First, funding government retiree pensions will soak up every new source of tax revenue they will ever collect. Second, cloaking new taxes and fees – and new agencies – in the virtuous raiment of environmentalism will deflect criticism and demonize critics. Here’s why:
Now […]

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“The Phonys”

By Larry Sand On January 17, 2017 · Leave a Comment

It’s award season and the teachers unions have entered the crowded field.
The Oscars. The Grammys. The Tonys. And we now have new award for the teachers unions: “The Phonys.”
Ask any teacher union leader about what they stand for, and you will get an earful about how they champion kids, parents and, of course, […]

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