Elected officials turned unions into scapegoats

Eric Stefik, Las Vegas

Tuesday, March 1, 2011 | 2:03 a.m.

The rights of public workers and teachers to bargain for wages and benefits have come under fire in Wisconsin, locally and elsewhere. Some convincing examples of excesses have been put forth, provoking anger and strident comments. Calls to ban such collective representation are being heard.

Although states and local jurisdictions face severe budgetary shortages, it is important to recognize how this situation emerged, and who is responsible.

Unions — I was a member of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees — merely represent one side of labor negotiations. Management, including our elected representatives, were selected to represent the public interest. For any new contract to be approved, management must take responsibility for what changes in rates of pay or benefits are implemented.

What seems to be happening is that elected officials are throwing their hands up in despair, acting like they were overcome by a throng of greedy public employees who forced them into a situation where they had no choice but to concede to their demands and provide wage and benefit levels that were excessive and unsustainable.

This is a case of diverting blame and not accepting responsibility for some bad decisions. Unions merely give employees a common voice, an organized way of presenting what they see as fair and necessary compensation. To expect each employee among thousands to individually negotiate with an employer would be impractical. Suggestions that unions should be banned is to deny a basic right with constitutional implications, the right to assemble to advance a common good.

Unions have a right to exist, and if our leadership cannot rein in a budget, we need to elect new leaders who have the courage to tax or cut as needed.