With Wisconsin state legislators fleeing the vote on pension changes, and growing concerns over the national implications of these actions, we’re seeing one potential end result of the logic of public sector unionism.
This is the same logic that allows public unions and their employers to sit on the same side of the bargaining table. Taxpayers are not party to these agreements, nor are they given any indication of the costs of these agreements. When it comes due, they have no choice but to pay the bill.
There is reason for concern over the interference from the federal level, as states’ legislators should have the ability to make their own decisions about their budgets.
States are supposed to have the ability to set their own collective bargaining rules. Making these changes will give the state more flexibility in the future. The state has to consider the benefits it has promised, and these changes will give Wisconsin more control over future costs.