Storm Clouds Ahead: Why Conflict with Public Unions Will Continue

By Daniel DiSalvo/Manhattan Insitute

Ohio’s recent referendum (Issue 2) overturning Governor John Kasich’s signature law that eliminated collective bargaining with unions representing state workers is the latest in a series of heated battles between governors and public-employee unions in a host of states.

Notwithstanding the demise of reform in the Buckeye State, conflict over government labor relations is far from over and is very likely to continue. This is especially the case in states where the public workforce is heavily unionized and where slow economic growth will cause persistent budget problems—especially as pension and health benefits for retired workers crowd out other parts of their budgets. These conditions spell trouble for New York, California, Illinois, Rhode Island, Michigan, Ohio, and Washington State, among other states.

http://www.manhattan-institute.org/html/ib_13.htm

Tagged as: collective bargaining rights, Gov. John Kasich, Issue 2, Ohio, public-sector unions, retirement benefits