SI
SI
discoversearch

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor.  We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community.  If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.
Politics : View from the Center and Left

 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  
To: 8bits who wrote (144328)9/16/2010 2:19:58 PM
From: JohnM  Read Replies (1) of 541777
 
at one time government workers could not join unions (until the mid-60s..) but are now have a much higher union representation that the private sector.

Two variables here: increasing membership from public sector workers; decreasing membership from private sector ones.

some State and Local government workers are very well compensated. (Police, Fire Fighters, etc..)

Don't know about Firefighters in Jersey but your point is accurate about the police. However, two points. The first is that those decent salaries should not be used to paint the full public sector work force. Some positions are dramatically underpaid--DPW workers, public librarians, and so on. That's the point of the comparisons that Ezra Klein mentioned.

Second, we need excellent police, firefighters, teachers, public servants in general and should be willing to pay for that.
Report TOU ViolationShare This Post
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext