CatholicExchange: Collective Bargaining as a Force of Undue Power

An excerpt: 

But, when it comes to the public unions, the real question in most people’s minds is: “Where does the majority of the negotiating power reside?” A recent Wall Street Journal article pointed out the many statesmen over the years who have opposed collective bargaining in the public sector, precisely because of their power of influence. “[U]nlike in the private economy, a public union has a natural monopoly over government services. An industrial union will fight for a greater share of corporate profits, but it also knows that a business must make profits or it will move or shut down. The union chief for teachers, transit workers or firemen knows that the city is not going to close the schools, buses or firehouses.” This monopoly, the WSJ article goes on to say, gives public unions “inordinate sway” over elected officials. And the article does not even address the impact that a strike or walkout has in the public sector, as opposed to the private.

Combined, these two factors allow public unions to exert much greater influence than their counterparts in the private sector.

The situation is further acerbated by the ability of the unions to make massive campaign donations. Many publications have disclosed the hundreds of millions of dollars given to Democratic Party campaigns by the public unions. This creates, as I stated in my last article, a relationship of mutual self-interest. At the very least it constitutes a conflict of interests. In the words of the WSJ writer, “union representatives sit on both sides of the bargaining table, with no one sitting in for taxpayers.”

 And here's the absolute kicker:

Scott Walker’s proposal does not reject the right to form a union, or the right to negotiate wages, and it is an open question how “benefits” fit into the theory of the “just wage.” But, if the governor’s proposal is considered too heavy-handed, then I would suggest that the task is to propose an alternative rather than to simply reject or run away from any discussion of underlying issues. Government needs to address the ongoing concern over the power behind the collective-bargaining proposals of public unions, not simply correct the current economic crisis and pass the more fundamental problem on to the next generation.

Go read this whole gem by Constance Nielsen, PhD at Catholic Exchange

That's what so shocking about the coverage on this, nobody, not public union bosses not democrats have offered any alternatives(besides maintaining the status quo which is quite frankly would be a sinful act).  You complain about the solution to the problem in play, and then offer nothing to the discussion.  No new ideas.  No progress.  Run ads to recall officials, officials who are honest in trying to fix the problem - even if you don't agree with the methods.  And that's what we get from the other side.  MY will be done.  God help us.