As the Kasich administration makes moves that result in bad PR (the latest is here), its apparent adversary, public-employee unions, would be mistaken to enjoy Kasich’s troubles. Indeed, in their opposition to the proposed legislation revising their collective-bargaining agreements, they are making their own mistakes.
Public unions claim that Kasich and Republicans in the legislature want to destroy the state’s middle class. This is, frankly, asinine. It makes no sense whatsoever. Spouting such a silly idea sets off the noise of the BS bell we each have inside of us, making any legitimate arguments they might have all the harder to hear.
What the unions are ignoring too is that, as hard as their jobs can be, they have pretty good contracts. For the most part, their pay ain’t bad, and neither are their benefits. But what they sidestep is clear to the citizens who provide those wages and benefits.
And it’s abundantly apparent to those who are looking for employment because, as bad as public-employee unions paint their situation, the unemployed person is figuring they’re better off than he is.
The average citizen is also wondering how they got the time off to protest.
Unions are also creating a false choice. “We didn’t create the economic crisis, so why come after us?” But who is blaming them for the economic meltdown? What has happened is that the crisis has exposed yet another unsustainable government endeavor, pay and benefits that are too costly either now or in the future.
These protests at the Statehouse illustrate another problem.
Public-employee unions spend a lot of money and energy to elect politicians sympathetic to their demands. The corollary of that is true, too; they spend a lot to defeat those with differing viewpoints.
Thus, the taxpayers are not necessarily fairly represented in wage and benefit negotiations. For the elected official on the other side of the table, it can often become a bid for re-election, voluntary or otherwise, as these protests might show.
The demonstrations could be interpreted as fighting for what one believes in. But they could also be seen as strong-arm tactics, a Statehouse version of a schoolyard bully who expects to get his way simply because he’s big and strong, not because he is right.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
As opposed to the corporations who hold Ohio hostage for tax breaks or leave? They ARENT bullies?
If you want a better deal then organize yourself. Don’t fault others for taking personal initiative.
Your first point is fair. As much as I want to see Ohio be known as a state that welcomes business, the line between being helpful and handing out corporate welfare (which I oppose) is very thin and difficult to maintain.
But as I said in the post, the unions certainly have the right to protest. It’s just that the way they are doing it currently might not be in their best interests from a public relations viewpoint.